Hernández Faces Possible Censure by Alameda County Democrats Over Taliban Smear

Vol. VI, No. 1,398

🗓️25 days to November General Election

—A day after Melissa Hernandez’s comments at the 14th Congressional District debate accusing Rep. Aisha Wahab of communicating with the Taliban, the remark has drawn negative media attention and public backlash.

Now, the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee is considering censuring Hernández.

A proposed resolution to formally admonish Hernández is circulating among central committee members.

The resolution condemns Hernández’s comment as racist, invoking alleged ties to a terrorist group and perpetuating stereotypes about immigrants.

At the conclusion of Wednesday evening’s hourlong debate in Dublin, Hernández said, “I’m an honest person in regards to not being—of having communications with the Taliban like my [opponent].”

Wahab did not address the accusation in her closing statement.

“The communities we represent deserves a Democratic Party that takes discrimination seriously, including when the concerns involve someone within our ranks,” the proposed resolution states.

Hernández, who currently serves as a BART board director, was elected to the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee in 2024.

The resolution also cites Hernández’s previous endorsement of former Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern, a Republican who was deeply unpopular among many local Democratic leaders, and her opposition, as a Dublin councilmember in 2019, to flying the LGBTQ Pride flag at City Hall.

A formal censure hearing could be scheduled for the central committee’s next meeting on Nov. 4, one day after Election Day, or earlier if a special meeting is called.

—CAN YOU HEAR ME, NOW?—Melissa Hernández says her controversial remarks about Rep. Aisha Wahab and the Taliban during Wednesday’s 14th Congressional District debate were misconstrued because her microphone was cut off before she could finish her statement.

—In a letter released by the campaign Thursday, Hernández said she intended to criticize Wahab’s comments during an Aug. 24 interview, in which the then-congressmember-elect advocated diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan’s rulers.

Hernandez explained: “When my microphone was cut off. I had just said, ‘communication with the Taliban like my…’ What I was in the process of saying was that oppose establishing diplomatic relations with the Taliban, like my opponent, Aisha Wahab, suggested during her August 24, 2026, interview with Democracy Now!”

—Hernández said she opposes establishing formal diplomatic relations with the Taliban, citing its treatment of Afghan women and children.

—Notably, Hernández’s statement does not explicitly apologize for the remark.

—WAHAB’S RESPONSE——Although Rep. Aisha Wahab appeared eager to fire back at Melissa Hernandez’s Taliban smear during Wednesday’s debate, she held her tongue. But Wahab didn’t hold back Thursday in a video posted on social media.

—“My opponent had the opportunity to close the entire debate with a final statement, and she decided to use a racist dog whistle as a distraction for her terrible performance,” Wahab said.

—Wahab also defended her previous comments about diplomatic engagement with the Taliban. “Diplomacy is about engagement, not choosing the other side,” she said.

—Wahab argued that Hernandez’s remarks demonstrated a lack of understanding of diplomacy, adding that it “shows she is unfit to have this seat.”

—Wahab also challenged Hernandez to another live debate before the Nov. 3 election, and again without notes.

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SAN LEANDRO

—BALLOT BLAME GAME—The Alameda County Registrar of Voters’ Office printed incorrect vote-by-mail ballots and sent them to San Leandro voters this week. But San Leandro may bear some responsibility for the mistake, according to City Hall sources.

—However, the precise origin of the ballot error remains unconfirmed after some voters began noticing Thursday the inclusion of extra council races on their ballot.

—The registrar’s office, county counsel, San Leandro officials, and Supervisor Lena Tam’s office are working to find a solution to the ballot issue.

—San Leandro voters received vote-by-mail ballots this week listing all four City Council races instead of just the contest in their respective districts.

—Under the city’s old election system, candidates were required to live within their districts but were elected by voters citywide.

—That changed in 2025 when city leaders moved to a fully district-based election system following a formal legal challenge by a San Leandro resident.

—The new system was not formally codified in the City Charter until voters approved Measure F in the June 2026 primary, paving the way for the first fully district-based City Council elections this November.

—While it remains unclear who should be held accountable for the mistake, City Hall insiders suggest the error may have originated in San Leandro.

—Generally speaking, the Alameda County Registrar of Voters is responsible for conducting elections, while individual city clerks oversee their municipalities’ election processes.

—Leadership changes at both the registrar’s office and the San Leandro city clerk’s office were underway during the city’s transition to district-based elections.

—San Leandro’s city clerk was formally appointed in March 2026 after serving in an acting capacity since October 2025.

—Alameda County Registrar of Voters Cynthia Cornejo was appointed to the permanent position two weeks ago after serving as interim registrar since March 2026.

FREMONT CITY COUNCIL

—MANDARIN CANDIDATE—Who knew Fremont City Council candidate Aziz Akbari could speak Mandarin?

—In a bold Instagram post Wednesday, Akbari delivered his entire campaign stump speech in Mandarin—and sounded pretty good doing it.

—Akbari is one of four candidates vying to replace termed-out District 4 Councilmember Yang Shao in November’s election.

BERKELEY CITY COUNCIL

—IGOR’S IGNORE—Not all Instagram posts this election season are positive.

—Berkeley Councilmember Igor Tregub ditched a questioner who challenged him about his support of Israel, attempted to ignore him while walking some distance, and then asserted he was being harassed.

-It was as bad a look that any incumbent candidate to display.

—To make matters worse for Tregub, who is seeking re-election to the District 4 seat next month against businessman Majdi Gaith, the Instagram post has been viewed more than 59,000 times since being posted on Sept. 21.

—Tregub is also the chair of the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee.

HEALTH CARE

—DYING FOR PROP. 40—Dozens of healthcare workers, labor leaders and community supporters staged a dramatic “die-in” outside Hayward’s St. Rose Hospital on Thursday to highlight potential cuts to patient care if Proposition 40 fails in November.

—The ballot measure would impose a one-time five percent tax on California billionaires to help fund healthcare services.

—Organizers warned that St. Rose, Hayward’s only hospital and a critical safety-net provider, is among more than 80 California hospitals and clinics they say could face severe cuts or closure without additional funding.

—”We are at a pivotal time in our country’s history,” said Peter Finn, president of Teamsters Joint Council 7, which supports the measure. “California has the opportunity to be a leader and set a precedent that we can beat back billion-dollar campaigns with worker power.”

—East Bay Assemblymember Liz Ortega also attended, arguing that working families have shouldered healthcare costs.

“Working families across the state have been footing the bill for way too long, it is time we stand together and ensure we all have access to a basic human right, healthcare,” Ortega said.

—Teamsters California, representing more than 250,000 workers, was the first major labor union to endorse Prop. 40.

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—💰MONEYBALL—Form 497 large campaign contributions filed on Oct. 8:

SHERIFF

—Re-Elect Yesenia Sanchez for Sheriff 2028, Oakland Police Officer’s Association PAC, $10,000; Inder Dosanjh of Concord, $10,000; Laborers’ Local 304 PAC, $5,000; Dublin Chevrolet Cadillac, $5,000. TOTAL: $30,000.

CITY OF ALAMEDA

—Tracy Jensen for Alameda Mayor 2026, California Real Estate PAC, $2,500. TOTAL: $2,500.

—Carrie Hahnel for AUSD Board of Education 2026, IBEW Local 595 PAC, $1,500. TOTAL: $1,500.

—Safer Alameda-Yes on Bond Measure L 2026, North Coast States Regional Council of Carpenters Issues PAC, $15,000. TOTAL: $15,000.

HAYWARD

—Mark Salínas for Mayor of Hayward 2026, LCCC PAC, A Bi-Partisan Coalition of Municipal, County, Latino Appointed and Elected Leaders, $1,838. TOTAL: $1,838.

—Michelle Fernelius for HUSD School Board 2026, IBEW Local 595 PAC, $1,000. TOTAL: $1,000.

SAN LEANDRO

—Juan Gonzalez for Mayor 2026, LCCC PAC, A Bi-Partisan Coalition of Municipal, County, Latino Appointed and Elected Leaders, $5,900. TOTAL: $5,900.

UNION CITY

—Committee to Support Measure II (Utility Tax Extension), Marilou Ayupan of San Jose, $1,000. TOTAL: $1,000.

ALAMEDA COUNTY DEMOCRATS

—Alameda County Democratic Central Committee, Elisa Marquez for County Supervisor 2026, $3,500; Marc Hedlund of Berkeley, $1,000. TOTAL: $4,500.

STATE SENATE

—Scott Sakakihara for Senate 2026, Laborers Local Union No. 270 PAC, $5,900. TOTAL: $5,900.

—Jesse Arreguin for Senate 2028, Twenty Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, $1,500. TOTAL: $1,500.

STATE ASSEMBLY

—Liz Ortega-Toro for Assembly 2026, Service Employees International Union Local 1000 Candidate PAC, $11,800; California State Council of Laborers PAC Small Contributor Committee, $5,900; California State Council of UNITE HERE, $1,500. TOTAL: $19,200.

—Buffy Wicks for Assembly 2026, Meta Platforms, Inc., $5,900; California Dental Association PAC, $5,900; California State Council of Laborers, $5,900; Twenty Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, $1,500. TOTAL: $19,200.

—Alex Lee for State Assembly 2026, California State Council of Laborers PAC, $5,900; PACE of California School Employees Association, $2,500; TOTAL: $8,400.

—Mia Bonta for Assembly 2026, California State Council of Laborers PAC Small Contributor Committee, $5,900. TOTAL: $5,900.

—Rebecca Bauer-Kahan for Assembly 2026, State Building and Construction Trades Council of California PAC, $5,900. TOTAL: $5,900.

—🧾EXPENDITURES—Form 496 Independent Expenditure Reports filed on Oct. 8:

OAKLAND

—Charlene Wang (District 2), California Alliance of Family Owned Businesses PAC. 👍SUPPORT (Mailer—$13,975). TOTAL: $13,975. Cumulative Total: $94,798.

OAKLAND SCHOOL BOARD

—Arielle Fleischer (District 2), Empower Oakland. 👎SUPPORT (Mailer—$6,949).TOTAL: $6,849. Cumulative Total: $24,791.

—Jennifer Brouhard (District 2), Empower Oakland. 👎OPPOSE (Mailer—$6,949).TOTAL: $6,849. Cumulative Total: $23,439.