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Rakhi Israni turns focus to California special election
The June 16 contest will determine who serves the remainder of Swalwell's congressional term.
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Malvika Choudhary - Mon, 08, Jun 2026
- 16:01 EDT
- 36
Rakhi Israni / Handout
Following California's primary elections last week, Indian American candidate Rakhi Israni has shifted her campaign's focus to the special election to fill the congressional seat vacated by former Congressman Eric Swalwell.
Israni, who placed fourth in the June 3 primary with about 11.5 percent of the vote, is urging supporters to cast their ballots before the June 16 deadline even as election officials continue counting outstanding primary votes.
Also Read: Rakhi Israni holds out hope as ballot processing continues
Tens of Thousands of votes are still being counted. Next update is due tomorrow.
— Rakhi for Congress (@RakhiIsraniCA) June 7, 2026
But here’s the thing:
• We CAN’T change the Primary.
• We CAN change the Special Election.
The special election is happening RIGHT NOW — to fill Eric Swalwell's vacated seat.
Your… pic.twitter.com/mrijseOI7C
"We CAN'T change the Primary. We CAN change the Special Election,” Israni wrote on X. The special election was triggered after Swalwell resigned from Congress earlier this year, creating a vacancy in California's 14th Congressional District. The district covers parts of Alameda County in the East Bay and is now holding a separate election to fill the remainder of his term.
"Your ballot is in your hands. June 16 is the deadline—don't wait," she said. "Vote now. The future of our campaign is in your hands. Drop your ballot today. Mail it this week. Vote in person."
Under California election rules, a candidate who receives more than 50 percent of the vote in the special election will win outright. If no candidate secures a majority, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff.
A nonprofit attorney and first-time candidate for public office, Israni has campaigned on issues including housing affordability, education, youth mental health, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the Bay Area economy.
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