Rakhi Israni Files for CD14 Special Election – Signs Joint Statement to Protect Democratic Votes in Congress

FREMONT, CA — Rakhi Israni, attorney, community advocate, and candidate for California’s 14th Congressional District, today announced that she has officially filed to run in the upcoming CD14 special election following the resignation of Rep. Eric Swalwell.

At the same time, Israni is taking the extraordinary step of signing a public unity pledge (reproduced below) aimed at protecting Democratic strength in Congress at a critical moment for the country.

Israni announced that she is prepared to step aside in the special election – but only if every Democratic candidate running for the seat agrees to do the same, consolidating support behind a unified strategy focused on winning and holding the seat in the general midterm election.

“This moment demands leadership,” said Israni. “With Donald Trump pushing an extreme agenda that threatens our democracy, our rights, national security, and our future, Democrats cannot afford to divide the vote or dilute our strength. We need to be strategic, disciplined, and united.”

The special election, triggered by Swalwell’s resignation, risks fracturing Democratic support in a heavily Democratic district if multiple candidates compete, potentially creating unnecessary vulnerability or draining resources ahead of the midterm election. Israni’s proposal seeks to prevent infighting and ensure that Democrats enter the general election in the strongest possible position.

“Every decision we make right now has national consequences,” Israni continued. “This is about protecting our votes, safeguarding our democratic institutions, and stopping Trump’s agenda from gaining ground in Congress.”

Israni emphasized that her willingness to step aside is contingent on a shared commitment from all Democratic candidates running in the midterm election to replace Congressman Eric Swalwell, underscoring that unity must be mutual to be effective.

“This pledge only works if we all act in good faith,” she said. “If we are serious about putting the country first, then we should be willing to make tough decisions together.”

Israni has built her campaign around accountability, government reform, and restoring public trust – including advocating for term limits, banning stock trading by members of Congress, and mandatory retirement age limits for Congress and the President.

She is urging party leaders, activists, and voters to support a coordinated approach. “Voters are tired of politics as usual,” Israni added. “They want leaders who will do what’s right – even when it’s not easy. I’m prepared to do that. The question is: will others join me?”

There are multiple elections to select the Representative for the 14th Congressional District. For the full term beginning January 3, 2027, the primary election will be on June 2nd, followed by the general election on November 3rd. The field for this election is set, with nine candidates on the primary ballot on June 2nd and the top two finishers will be on the general election ballot on November 3rd.

A separate special election to select someone to represent the 14th District for the rest of 2026 will be held on June 16th. If any candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, they will be immediately seated in Congress. If not, the seat will remain vacant until a runoff election between the top two candidates on August 18th. The winner of that election will be seated when Congress reconvenes in the fall. The deadline to file to run in the special election is this Thursday, April 23.

Republicans in the House today have a historically-slim majority. Last week, legislation to end the Iran war failed by just one vote. Last year, the Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill that cut health care and food assistance for millions of Americans to fund ICE and tax cuts for billionaires passed by a two-vote margin. In June and July, we expect more key votes on Republican legislation to make further cuts to health care and food assistance to provide more funding for ICE, a Trump-backed plan to federalize elections and make it harder for millions of Americans to vote, a Democratic effort to end the Iran War, and legislation to fund the government.

Each of us is a current or potential candidate for Congress because we believe we would be an excellent voice for the people of the 14th District and want to play a part of the Democratic effort to bring down the cost of living, protect democracy and the rule of law, stop ICE and stand up for the hardworking people who are our neighbors and friends in the East Bay.

Most of us have either filed to run or were preparing to run in the special election. But we recognize the risk that with this crowded field, no candidate is likely to win 50% + 1. This would leave the seat vacant at a crucial time when Democrats could stop the Trump agenda from advancing in the House of Representatives. And that is a risk that our country can’t afford.

We, the undersigned Democrats either running or considering running for Congress in the 14th District, ask that all Democratic candidates rally behind a sole Democratic candidate who is experienced, willing to serve as a respected, temporary steward of this office and who will not be a candidate for the general election: retired state senator Bob Wieckowski. If we do this, we can elect a Democrat outright to start serving the 14th District immediately. We ask all Democratic voters to cast their ballots for Senator Wieckowski so he can help Democrats in the House try to block the Republican agenda immediately.

Many of us still plan on running a full and vigorous campaign for the 14th District in the general election. If all of us do not agree to sign this pledge, many will run in the special election. But there is too much at stake for our country for any of us to put our personal hopes and ambitions ahead of this important effort to fill this seat with an experienced and reliable Democratic vote in the House. As Democratic candidates and potential candidates, we ask that Democratic voters stand with us in this effort to avoid a contentious special election primary and concentrate our efforts on defeating Republican autocracy and protecting democracy. This effort is essential to help House Democrats stand up to the Republican extremism that is fueling the Trump agenda.