Wahab’s political ascent began in 2018 with a bold bid for Hayward City Council, challenging two incumbents on affordable housing, renter protections, and economic inequity, drawing early fundraising momentum despite facing anti-Muslim attacks.

She made history as the first Afghan American sworn into the U.S. Congress, winning a 2026 special election to cap Eric Swalwell’s term in California’s 14th District and taking the oath in Washington, D.C.

Wahab is set to serve California’s 14th District as the first Afghan American in the House, completing Swalwell’s term after a hard-fought race that drew substantial outside spending.

House Speaker Zoe Lofgren highlighted Wahab’s foster youth background and advocacy for vulnerable communities, with Wahab pledging to work across party lines to serve all Americans.

During her Senate tenure, Wahab chaired the Public Safety Committee, advancing housing, foster youth, sexual assault survivor protections, and government accountability, including a 2023 bid to ban caste discrimination in California that was vetoed by Governor Newsom.

The district Wahab represents spans southern Alameda County and the Tri-Valley, including Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Dublin, and Pleasanton.

Her oath ceremony featured mixed reactions within California Democrats, with Lofgren introducing her and recounting endorsements and campaign dynamics.

Now 39, Wahab previously served on the Hayward City Council and the California State Senate, District 10, and she is a former foster youth who earned a doctorate in social work from USC.

In 2022 Wahab won the California State Senate seat for the 10th District, becoming the first Muslim and Afghan American elected to the California Senate after defeating Fremont Mayor Lily Mei.

She won the August 18 special election to fill a partial term, defeating BART Board President Melissa Hernandez and facing Hernandez again in the November general election.

Her 2026 rise drew substantial outside spending opposing her, yet she prevailed in the CA-14 special election and took the federal oath in Washington, D.C.

The narrative frames Wahab’s eight-year rise as a move from insurgent local governance to a historic federal post, underscored by her policy focus and persistent cross-level political battles.