Wahab takes early lead in vote for Eric Swalwell’s replacement

Azeem Wahab has taken an early lead in the special election to fill the California State Assembly seat left vacant by Eric Swalwell. The election, held Tuesday, will determine who represents the 25th Assembly District, which covers parts of Alameda and Santa Clara counties.

With a significant portion of the vote counted, Wahab, a Democrat and former Fremont city councilmember, holds a commanding advantage over his closest competitor. The race attracted multiple candidates from both major parties, but early returns suggest Wahab has secured a strong base of support.

The seat became open after Swalwell, a Democrat, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012. Swalwell had represented the district since 2012 before moving to Congress. The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of Swalwell's term, which ends in December 2014.

Election officials continue to count ballots, and final results are expected in the coming days. The outcome will determine the district's representation in Sacramento for the remainder of the legislative session.