Wahab challenges Hernandez after Taliban remark at Dublin debate

A debate between U.S. Representative Aisha Wahab and BART board president Melissa Hernandez in California’s 14th Congressional District ended in a dispute over Hernandez’s reference to the Taliban, The Independent of Livermore reported on October 15.

During closing remarks at the October 7 debate in Dublin, Hernandez suggested Wahab had communications with the Taliban. The newspaper said the accusation stemmed from Wahab’s earlier support for U.S. diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan’s rulers. Wahab had not said she was communicating with the Taliban.

Hernandez later said her microphone was cut off before she could finish, and that she had meant to oppose establishing diplomatic relations with the Taliban. Wahab called the remark a racist dog whistle, said Hernandez was unfit for the seat and challenged her to another live debate, according to the report.

The Independent reported that the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee was considering censuring Hernandez, citing local political outlets. It said a proposed resolution reportedly condemned the remark as racist and discriminatory and said linking Wahab to a terrorist group reinforced harmful stereotypes about immigrants. It did not report a completed censure vote.

The two Democrats face each other again on November 3 for a full congressional term, after Wahab defeated Hernandez 53% to 47% in the August 18 special election, the newspaper reported.