Published September 7, 2026 · Updated with each build
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Finding House · California Democrat

Aisha Wahab FINDING

Seat
H-CA-14
Party
DEM
Universe reason
contested_primary
FEC receipts
$575,282 FEC
Campaign site
https://www.aishawahab.com/ (unverified)
Pages scanned
418 · last 2026-09-03

Posted public messaging guidance consistent with red-boxing

Detected on https://www.aishawahab.com/s/Melissa-Hernandez-731.pdf  · classifier confidence 0.95

  1. First detectedAugust 5, 2026

The page contains segmented audience targeting, prescribed message themes, and timing cues that function as media-buy guidance for outside groups. The directive language ('need to read and see on the go', 'for those only communicating with positive messaging') is addressed to ad buyers, not voters directly, and the detailed opposition research and positive points are provided as ready-to-use ad content. This is a classic red-boxing document.

Quoted evidence — verbatim spans from the page

  • The top priority is that likely Democratic and NPP special election voters under the pre-Prop 50 CA-14 lines need to read and see on the go that Melissa Hernandez is backed by Republicans, Trump donors, and anti-abortion leaders.
    Directive language specifying audience segment, channel ('on the go' implies mobile ads), and prescribed message theme.
  • For those only communicating with positive messaging, likely special election voters under the pre-Prop 50 CA-14 lines should read and see on the go that Aisha Wahab is a leader in the CA State Senate...
    Segmentation of ad buyers ('those only communicating with positive messaging') with specific message and channel instructions.
  • Voters also need to be aware that they should return ballots before August 18th. Ballots drop July 20.
    Timing cue for ad content, directing voters to return ballots, which is a typical get-out-the-vote instruction for paid media.
Rendered pages of the archived PDF from https://www.aishawahab.com/s/Melissa-Hernandez-731.pdf
Archived at detectionPages rendered from the PDF at https://www.aishawahab.com/s/Melissa-Hernandez-731.pdf · Archived PDF (original)
Plain text of the archived page
Updated: July 31 

The top priority is that likely Democratic and NPP special election voters under the pre-Prop 50 CA-14 
lines need to read and see on the go that Melissa Hernandez is backed by Republicans, Trump donors, 
and anti-abortion leaders. While running as a Democrat, her campaign is funded by tens of thousands of 
dollars from major Trump donors and over $120,000 from AIPAC donors. She was launched into the race 
by her boss, an anti-abortion politician who spoke at a far-right Oath Keepers militia meeting—and she 
actively endorsed controversial, far-right Republican Sheriff Greg Ahern. 

Voters also need to be aware that they should return ballots before August 18th. Ballots drop July 20.  

For those only communicating with positive messaging, likely special election voters under the pre-Prop 
50 CA-14 lines should read and see on the go that Aisha Wahab is a leader in the CA State Senate, 
fighting to make affordable housing and homeownership more accessible. Endorsed by the California 
Democratic Party, civil rights groups, major labor unions, and progressive leaders across California, the 
people leading the fight against Trump know Aisha Wahab is the best choice for Congress. 

ICE 

Hernandez Indicated She Would Not Fight To Abolish ICE. Asked about how Trump’s administration has 
approached immigration and if Congress was doing enough in opposition, regarding ICE, Hernandez 
simply said that “many people want to abolish ICE… that that will most likely not be happening” and did 
not advocate for abolishing ICE. [U.S. Congressional District 14 Candidate Forum – YouTube, 37:29, 
45:10] 

Opposed Efforts To Declare Dublin A Sanctuary For Immigrants 

Hernandez Opposed Efforts To Declare Dublin A Sanctuary For Immigrants. “At the time, Dublin 
Councilmember Melissa Hernandez, then known as Melissa Strah, opposed efforts to declare the city a 
sanctuary for immigrants. Instead, Hernandez and then-Dublin Mayor David Haubert expressed 
confidence in Republican Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern’s immigration policies. “I believe the 
Alameda County sheriff’s office general order. I read it and I also feel the general order is in line with 
federal law,” Hernandez said during the discussion in March 2017. She added that the sheriff’s office 
appeared to “have everything in order.”” [East Bay Insiders, 5/31/26] 

Voted Against Flying The Pride Flag 

Hernandez Delivered The Deciding Vote To Kill A Proposal To Fly The Pride Flag In Her 
City During Pride Month 

Hernandez Delivered The Deciding Vote To Kill A Proposal To Fly The Pride Flag In Her City During 
Pride Month. “The Dublin Council voted 3-2 to not fly the flag above its own city hall, although it passed 
a resolution to support the LGBTQ community…” [East Bay Times, 5/27/2019] 

●  “Many Alameda County Democrats were not surprised by opposition to the flag raising by Goel 
and conservative-leaning Dublin Mayor David Haubert. But party leaders expressed shock at the 
deciding vote cast by Councilmember Melissa Hernandez, whose council campaign was backed 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
by the Alameda County Democratic Party and other left-leaning groups.” [East Bay Express, 
6/5/2019] 

Hernandez Was Closely Aligned with Eric Swalwell 

Many Of The Political Operatives And Donor Networks That Fueled Swalwell’s Rise Over The Past 
Decade Appear To Be Regrouping Around Hernandez’s Campaign. “'Behind the scenes, many of the 
political operatives and donor networks that fueled Swalwell’s rise over the past decade appear to be 
regrouping around Hernandez’s campaign.” [East Bay Insiders, 5/28/26] 

Hernandez Voted to Give Herself a 40% Raise 

Dublin Council Members take a pay bump. (Mayor takes pay bump of almost 40%) “At its April 5 
council meeting, however, the council and mayor voted unanimously to give the council members a 10% 
raise, up to $1,416.82 per month after the next council is seated, and to give the mayor $1,927.65, or 
50% more than council members’ pay.” [Mercury News, 4/18/22] 

Affordable Housing  

Hernandez Voted Against A Measure To Buoy An Affordable Housing Project With 300 Affordable 
Housing Units. “Attempts to buoy an affordable housing project at the West Dublin-Pleasanton Bay Area 
Rapid Transit (BART) station barely won city council approval on Feb. 21. The council voted 3-2 to modify 
the Amador Station project’s community benefit and affordable housing assistance agreements. The 
revisions switched the project’s developer, reversed its construction phases, and increased the upfront 
funding paid by the city. Mayor Melissa Hernandez and Vice Mayor Michael McCorriston cast the 
dissenting votes due to the lack of time for considering the complexities around BART ownership, city 
involvement and the project’s varied stakeholders. Originally proposed by nonprofit developer BRIDGE 
Dublin, LLC in August 2021, the two-phase project planned to build 300 affordable housing units on the 
3.6-acre site at 6501 Golden Gate Drive, adjacent to the BART station.” [The Independent, 3/1/23] 

Hernandez Has Accepted Over $20,000 From Trump Donors 

Donors Who Gave Over $270,000 To Trump Campaigns & Committees Contributed Over 
$20,000 To Hernandez’s Campaign 

Patrick Heneghan contributed over $350,000 to Trump campaigns and committees and the RNC, most 
notably $125,000 to Trump 47 Committee Inc in October 2024. Heneghan contributed $500 to 
Hernandez’s campaign. [FEC, accessed July 2026] 

Anthony Bilich made over 200 contributions to Trump campaigns and committees and the RNC, 
totaling nearly $15,000. Bilich contributed $7,000 to Hernandez’s campaign. [FEC, accessed July 2026] 

Charanjit Ghai contributed $2,000 to Trump for President and Trump Inc. Ghai contributed $7,000 to 
Hernandez’s campaign. [FEC, accessed July 2026] 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jadwinder Singh contributed nearly $20,000 ($19,901.90) to Trump campaigns and committees and 
the RNC. Singh contributed $2,000 to Hernandez’s campaign. [FEC, accessed July 2026] 

Jeanie Reitzell made over 80 contributions to Trump campaigns and committees and the RNC, totaling 
over $5,000. Bilich contributed $2,000 to Hernandez’s campaign. [FEC, accessed July 2026] 

Nicholas Livanos contributed $1,464.50 to Trump campaigns and committees and made two dozen 
contributions to the RNC totaling $7,262. Livanos contributed $2,000 to Hernandez’s campaign. [FEC, 
accessed July 2026; Hernandez July 2026 FEC report] 

DETAILS 

Israel - Palestine 

Headline: “Hernández Declines to Call Gaza War Genocide, Breaking With Rivals” [East Bay Insiders 
Newsletter, 4/9/26] 

April 2026: When Asked If Israel’s Military Actions In Gaza Constituted A Genocide, Hernández 
Sidestepped The Question. [East Bay Insiders Newsletter, 4/9/26] 

Hernandez Was The Only Candidate At The Forum Who Refused To Acknowledge The Genocide. “At 
the April 7 forum, hosted by Indivisible Tri-Valley, the candidates were asked by a viewer whether Israel 
had committed genocide in Gaza, a claim that Israel and many of its supporters reject. Elam, Ortega and 
Wahab all answered “Yes.” Hernandez declined to give a yes-or-no answer.” [Jweekly, 4/17/26] 

Contributions From AIPAC Donors 

Hernandez Has Accepted Over $120,000 From AIPAC Donors, Including A Former AIPAC 
President And Several Board Members 

Friedkin Contributed $1,000 To Hernandez’s Campaign. [FEC.gov, accessed July 2025] 
Kohn Contributed $3,500 To Hernandez’s Campaign. [FEC.gov, accessed July 2025] 
Zakowski Contributed $1,500 To Hernandez’s Campaign. [FEC.gov, accessed July 2025] 
Bender Contributed $1,000 To Hernandez’s Campaign. [FEC.gov, accessed July 2025] 

Full list of Hernandez AIPAC donors HERE 

Haubert Endorsement 

David Haubert Was A Prominently Featured Endorser Of Hernandez’s Campaign. 
[Melissa Hernandez for Congress, accessed June 2026] 

January 2026: Hernandez Launched Her Campaign Touting Her Role Working For Haubert. [Danville 
SanRamon, 1/8/26] 

Haubert Was “Opposed To Abortion In General.” “Alameda County Board of Supervisors District 1 
candidate David Haubert wrote to a prospective voter last month, that as supervisor, he would seek to 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
limit abortion-related county programs, and, instead, focus on alternatives such as adoption and 
education. “I am opposed to abortion in general. As an elected leader I must obey the law of the land. 
However, as county supervisor I will not seek to expand it in anyway. In fact, I would like to limit our 
current programs,” Haubert to the unknown voter in an email dated Jan. 25.” [East Bay Citizen, 2/18/20] 

Haubert Accepted An Invitation To Be The Guest Speaker At A Local Chapter Meeting Of The Oath 
Keepers. “Mayor David Haubert has raised eyebrows after accepting an invitation to be the guest 
speaker at a local chapter meeting of the Oath Keepers, a gun-carrying club that has been described as a 
far-right militia group. Haubert told this newspaper Tuesday that he didn’t know about the group’s 
controversial past. “You know what, I hadn’t heard that. I hadn’t researched that,” Haubert said.” [East 
Bay Times, 4/19/17] 

Haubert Refused To Disclose What He Talked About At The Oath Keepers Meeting. “Although Haubert 
wouldn’t go into detail about what he said at the Oath Keepers meeting, he hinted that immigration was 
discussed.” [East Bay Times, 4/19/17] 

Haubert And Hernandez Advocated Against Dublin Being A Sanctuary City. “During the same 2017 
council discussion, Haubert, now an Alameda County supervisor, rejected the idea of pursuing sanctuary 
city status. “Law and order and protecting the police are very important to me,” Haubert said. “I see no 
need to pursue what we call “sanctuary city.” Speaking immediately afterward, Hernandez added, “I 
agree with you.”” [East Bay Insiders, 5/31/26] 

Endorsement of Sheriff Greg Ahern 

Hernandez Endorsed Republican Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern’s Campaign. “Alameda County 
Democrats continue to battle disunity within their ranks as Democrats, like Rep. Eric Swalwell, Alameda 
County Supervisor Nate Miley, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, and Dublin Mayor 
Melissa Hernandez, have all endorsed Ahern’s primary campaign.” [East Bay Insiders, 5/13/22] 

Ahern Was Criticized Over Cooperation With The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Hosting 
A Large Militarized Police Training Event Known As Urban Shield, And His Management Of Santa Rita 
Jail. “Dissatisfaction with Ahern’s leadership and style has been building for years, especially among 
Oakland and Berkeley activists. While the sheriff enjoys support from southern Alameda County and the 
Tri-Valley area, he has his share of critics over cooperation with the U.S. Immigration and Customs 
Enforcement, hosting a large militarized police training event known as Urban Shield, and his 
management of Santa Rita Jail.  Since 2014, at least 58 people incarcerated at the Dublin jail have died 
while in custody. One of the largest county jails in the country, Santa Rita Jail is now subject to external 
oversight and a series of mandatory reforms following the settlement of a class-action lawsuit that 
alleged the sheriff wasn’t providing adequate mental health services.” [Oaklandside, 6/7/22] 

Ahern’s Re-Election Materials Prominently Featured The “Thin Blue Line” Flag, Which Had Been Co-
Opted In Recent Years By White Supremacy Groups, On Both Sides. “Alameda County Sheriff Greg 
Ahern’s re-election campaign sent a large, glossy mailer to voters over the weekend that extolled his 
department’s ability to “keep us safe.” The mailer also prominently featured the “thin blue line” 
American flag on both sides of the piece. —The black and white American flag with a blue line 
emblazoned across its center is often used by police personnel and supporters and represents law 
enforcement’s presence in protecting the public from civil disorder. However, the thin blue line flag has 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
been co-opted in recent years by white supremacy groups. Opponents of law enforcement, especially 
those in Alameda County, view the thin blue line flag as a pro-police banner, making its use by the Ahern 
campaign to be a curiously muddled message.” [East Bay Insiders, 5/2/22] 

Alameda Democrats Said Ahern Was A Fascist. “Three members of the Alameda County Democratic 
Central Committee last week labeled Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern as fascist and a “Fascist Nazi.” 
[East Bay Insiders, 5/13/22] 

Hernandez Expressed Confidence In Republican Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern’s Immigration 
Policies. “At the time, Dublin Councilmember Melissa Hernandez, then known as Melissa Strah, opposed 
efforts to declare the city a sanctuary for immigrants. Instead, Hernandez and then-Dublin Mayor David 
Haubert expressed confidence in Republican Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern’s immigration policies. 
“I believe the Alameda County sheriff’s office general order. I read it and I also feel the general order is 
in line with federal law,” Hernandez said during the discussion in March 2017. She added that the 
sheriff’s office appeared to “have everything in order.”” [East Bay Insiders, 5/31/26] 

Hernandez Expressed Support For A Policy Which Allowed The Sheriff’s Department To Provide 
Inmate Release Notifications To ICE. ““I believe the Alameda County sheriff’s office general order. I read 
it and I also feel the general order is in line with federal law,” Hernandez said during the discussion in 
March 2017. She added that the sheriff’s office appeared to “have everything in order.” The general 
order she referenced prohibited Ahern from honoring ICE detainer requests that would extend an 
inmate’s detention beyond their release date. However, the policy still allowed the department to 
provide inmate release notifications to ICE, a practice that drew strong criticism from immigrant-rights 
advocates.” [East Bay Insiders, 5/31/26] 

Hernandez voted to support a sales tax amidst mismanagement of finances [CBS News, 2/26/26, SFCTA] 

BART Finances

Additional page with guidance

Posted public messaging guidance consistent with red-boxing

Detected on https://www.aishawahab.com/s/CA-14-Voters-Need-To-Knowdocx.pdf  · classifier confidence 0.95

  1. First detectedJuly 28, 2026

The page provides segmented audience directives (likely special election voters under pre-Prop 50 lines) with specific channel cues ('on the go'), timing (ballot drop and return dates), and conditional response to negative paid media. It prescribes message themes for different voter groups (Democrats/women/younger voters vs. Republicans/No Party Preference) and includes opposition research bullet points formatted as ad copy. This is classic red-box guidance intended for an outside group to execute paid advertising, not a press kit or voter-facing persuasion page.

Quoted evidence — verbatim spans from the page

  • Likely special election voters under the pre-Prop 50 CA-14 lines should read and see on the go that Aisha Wahab is a leader
    Segmented audience with directive about what they should see on a mobile/on-the-go channel, indicating media-buy instruction.
  • If there is significant negative paid media on Wahab, the number one priority will be that likely special election voters under the pre-Prop 50 CA-14 lines need to read and see on the go that Melissa Hernandez is two-faced
    Conditional response to paid media, with explicit priority and channel instruction, clearly guidance for outside ad buyers.
  • Potential leading issues for Democrats, women, younger voters:
    Segmented audience with prescribed message themes, typical of red-boxing.
  • Potential leading issues for Republicans/No Party Preference:
    Further audience segmentation with tailored attack lines, indicating media-buy guidance.
  • Voters also need to be aware that they should return ballots before August 18th. Ballots drop July 20.
    Timing cues that only make sense as part of a coordinated media-buy schedule.
Rendered pages of the archived PDF from https://www.aishawahab.com/s/CA-14-Voters-Need-To-Knowdocx.pdf
Archived at detectionPages rendered from the PDF at https://www.aishawahab.com/s/CA-14-Voters-Need-To-Knowdocx.pdf · Archived PDF (original)
Plain text of the archived page
Updated: July 16 

Likely special election voters under the pre-Prop 50 CA-14 lines should read and see on the go that Aisha 
Wahab is a leader in the CA State Senate, fighting to make affordable housing and homeownership more 
accessible. Endorsed by the California Democratic Party, civil rights groups, major labor unions, and 
progressive leaders across California, the people leading the fight against Trump know Aisha Wahab is 
the best choice for Congress. 

Voters also need to be aware that they should return ballots before August 18th. Ballots drop July 20.  

If there is significant negative paid media on Wahab, the number one priority will be that likely special 
election voters under the pre-Prop 50 CA-14 lines need to read and see on the go that Melissa 
Hernandez is two-faced – she pretends to fight for our community and our values, but she can’t be 
trusted to stand up for us.  

Melissa Hernandez 

Potential leading issues for Democrats, women, younger voters: 

Melissa Hernandez Didn’t Stand Up For Us, She Never Has 

●  Hernandez claims to support migrant workers - yet did not speak up nor support them during 

the ICE raids and didn’t vote to make Dublin a sanctuary city 

●  Hernandez is endorsed by an anti-abortion County Supervisor whom she joined in opposing 

sanctuary cities and was the guest speaker at an Oath Keepers meeting. 

●  Hernandez’s support base: Trump Donors, Republicans, anti-abortion supporters, and ICE 

supporters 

●  Hernandez voted against 300 units of affordable housing 
●  Hernandez claims to support the LGBTQ community but voted against flying the Pride flag at City 

Hall.  

Potential leading issues for Republicans/No Party Preference: 

Melissa Hernandez Increased her pay, Denied Affordable Housing, and Voted to Increase Taxes  

●  Hernandez voted to increase her salary 40% during COVID 
●  Hernandez voted against 300 units of affordable housing 
●  Hernandez mismanaged BART finances and voted to increase sales tax  

ICE 

Hernandez Indicated She Would Not Fight To Abolish ICE. Asked about how Trump’s administration has 
approached immigration and if Congress was doing enough in opposition, regarding ICE, Hernandez 
simply said that “many people want to abolish ICE… that that will most likely not be happening” and did 
not advocate for abolishing ICE. [U.S. Congressional District 14 Candidate Forum – YouTube, 37:29, 
45:10] 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Opposed Efforts To Declare Dublin A Sanctuary For Immigrants 

Hernandez Opposed Efforts To Declare Dublin A Sanctuary For Immigrants. “At the time, Dublin 
Councilmember Melissa Hernandez, then known as Melissa Strah, opposed efforts to declare the city a 
sanctuary for immigrants. Instead, Hernandez and then-Dublin Mayor David Haubert expressed 
confidence in Republican Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern’s immigration policies. “I believe the 
Alameda County sheriff’s office general order. I read it and I also feel the general order is in line with 
federal law,” Hernandez said during the discussion in March 2017. She added that the sheriff’s office 
appeared to “have everything in order.”” [East Bay Insiders, 5/31/26] 

Voted Against Flying The Pride Flag 

Hernandez Delivered The Deciding Vote To Kill A Proposal To Fly The Pride Flag In Her 
City During Pride Month 

Hernandez Delivered The Deciding Vote To Kill A Proposal To Fly The Pride Flag In Her City During Pride 
Month. “The Dublin Council voted 3-2 to not fly the flag above its own city hall, although it passed a 
resolution to support the LGBTQ community…” [East Bay Times, 5/27/2019] 

●  “Many Alameda County Democrats were not surprised by opposition to the flag raising by Goel 
and conservative-leaning Dublin Mayor David Haubert. But party leaders expressed shock at the 
deciding vote cast by Councilmember Melissa Hernandez, whose council campaign was backed 
by the Alameda County Democratic Party and other left-leaning groups.” [East Bay Express, 
6/5/2019] 

Hernandez Was Closely Aligned with Eric Swalwell 

Many Of The Political Operatives And Donor Networks That Fueled Swalwell’s Rise Over The Past 
Decade Appear To Be Regrouping Around Hernandez’s Campaign. “'Behind the scenes, many of the 
political operatives and donor networks that fueled Swalwell’s rise over the past decade appear to be 
regrouping around Hernandez’s campaign.” [East Bay Insiders, 5/28/26] 

Hernandez Voted to Give Herself a 40% Raise 

Dublin Council Members take a pay bump. (Mayor takes pay bump of almost 40%) “At its April 5 
council meeting, however, the council and mayor voted unanimously to give the council members a 10% 
raise, up to $1,416.82 per month after the next council is seated, and to give the mayor $1,927.65, or 
50% more than council members’ pay.” [Mercury News, 4/18/22] 

Affordable Housing  

Hernandez Voted Against A Measure To Buoy An Affordable Housing Project With 300 Affordable 
Housing Units. “Attempts to buoy an affordable housing project at the West Dublin-Pleasanton Bay Area 
Rapid Transit (BART) station barely won city council approval on Feb. 21. The council voted 3-2 to modify 
the Amador Station project’s community benefit and affordable housing assistance agreements. The 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
revisions switched the project’s developer, reversed its construction phases, and increased the upfront 
funding paid by the city. Mayor Melissa Hernandez and Vice Mayor Michael McCorriston cast the 
dissenting votes due to the lack of time for considering the complexities around BART ownership, city 
involvement and the project’s varied stakeholders. Originally proposed by nonprofit developer BRIDGE 
Dublin, LLC in August 2021, the two-phase project planned to build 300 affordable housing units on the 
3.6-acre site at 6501 Golden Gate Drive, adjacent to the BART station.” [The Independent, 3/1/23] 

Trump Donors 

Donors To Trump Campaigns & Committees Contributed $9,500 To Hernandez’s 
Campaign 

Patrick Heneghan contributed over $350,000 to Trump campaigns and committees and the RNC, most 
notably $125,000 to Trump 47 Committee Inc in October 2024. Heneghan contributed $500 to 
Hernandez’s campaign. [FEC, accessed July 2026] 

Anthony Bilich made over 200 contributions to Trump campaigns and committees and the RNC, 
totaling nearly $15,000. Bilich contributed $3,500 to Hernandez’s campaign. [FEC, accessed July 2026] 

Charanjit Ghai contributed $2,000 to Trump for President and Trump Inc. Ghai contributed $3,500 to 
Hernandez’s campaign. [FEC, accessed July 2026] 

Jadwinder Singh contributed nearly $20,000 ($19,901.90) to Trump campaigns and committees and 
the RNC. Singh contributed $1,000 to Hernandez’s campaign. [FEC, accessed July 2026] 

Jeanie Reitzell made over 80 contributions to Trump campaigns and committees and the RNC, totaling 
over $5,000. Bilich contributed $1,000 to Hernandez’s campaign. [FEC, accessed July 2026] 

Israel - Palestine 

Headline: “Hernández Declines to Call Gaza War Genocide, Breaking With Rivals” [East Bay Insiders 
Newsletter, 4/9/26] 

April 2026: When Asked If Israel’s Military Actions In Gaza Constituted A Genocide, Hernández 
Sidestepped The Question. [East Bay Insiders Newsletter, 4/9/26] 

Hernandez Was The Only Candidate At The Forum Who Refused To Acknowledge The Genocide. “At 
the April 7 forum, hosted by Indivisible Tri-Valley, the candidates were asked by a viewer whether Israel 
had committed genocide in Gaza, a claim that Israel and many of its supporters reject. Elam, Ortega and 
Wahab all answered “Yes.” Hernandez declined to give a yes-or-no answer.” [Jweekly, 4/17/26] 

Contributions From AIPAC Donors 

Hernandez Has Accepted Over $90,000 From AIPAC Donors, Including A Former AIPAC 
President And Several Board Members 

Friedkin Contributed $1,000 To Hernandez’s Campaign. [FEC.gov, accessed July 2025] 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kohn Contributed $3,500 To Hernandez’s Campaign. [FEC.gov, accessed July 2025] 
Zakowski Contributed $1,500 To Hernandez’s Campaign. [FEC.gov, accessed July 2025] 
Bender Contributed $1,000 To Hernandez’s Campaign. [FEC.gov, accessed July 2025] 

Full list of Hernandez AIPAC donors HERE 

Haubert Endorsement 

David Haubert Was A Prominently Featured Endorser Of Hernandez’s Campaign. 
[Melissa Hernandez for Congress, accessed June 2026] 

January 2026: Hernandez Launched Her Campaign Touting Her Role Working For Haubert. [Danville 
SanRamon, 1/8/26] 

Haubert Was “Opposed To Abortion In General.” “Alameda County Board of Supervisors District 1 
candidate David Haubert wrote to a prospective voter last month, that as supervisor, he would seek to 
limit abortion-related county programs, and, instead, focus on alternatives such as adoption and 
education. “I am opposed to abortion in general. As an elected leader I must obey the law of the land. 
However, as county supervisor I will not seek to expand it in anyway. In fact, I would like to limit our 
current programs,” Haubert to the unknown voter in an email dated Jan. 25.” [East Bay Citizen, 2/18/20] 

Haubert Accepted An Invitation To Be The Guest Speaker At A Local Chapter Meeting Of The Oath 
Keepers. “Mayor David Haubert has raised eyebrows after accepting an invitation to be the guest 
speaker at a local chapter meeting of the Oath Keepers, a gun-carrying club that has been described as a 
far-right militia group. Haubert told this newspaper Tuesday that he didn’t know about the group’s 
controversial past. “You know what, I hadn’t heard that. I hadn’t researched that,” Haubert said.” [East 
Bay Times, 4/19/17] 

Haubert Refused To Disclose What He Talked About At The Oath Keepers Meeting. “Although Haubert 
wouldn’t go into detail about what he said at the Oath Keepers meeting, he hinted that immigration was 
discussed.” [East Bay Times, 4/19/17] 

Haubert And Hernandez Advocated Against Dublin Being A Sanctuary City. “During the same 2017 
council discussion, Haubert, now an Alameda County supervisor, rejected the idea of pursuing sanctuary 
city status. “Law and order and protecting the police are very important to me,” Haubert said. “I see no 
need to pursue what we call “sanctuary city.” Speaking immediately afterward, Hernandez added, “I 
agree with you.”” [East Bay Insiders, 5/31/26] 

Endorsement of Sheriff Greg Ahern 

Hernandez Endorsed Republican Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern’s Campaign. “Alameda County 
Democrats continue to battle disunity within their ranks as Democrats, like Rep. Eric Swalwell, Alameda 
County Supervisor Nate Miley, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, and Dublin Mayor 
Melissa Hernandez, have all endorsed Ahern’s primary campaign.” [East Bay Insiders, 5/13/22] 

Ahern Was Criticized Over Cooperation With The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Hosting 
A Large Militarized Police Training Event Known As Urban Shield, And His Management Of Santa Rita 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jail. “Dissatisfaction with Ahern’s leadership and style has been building for years, especially among 
Oakland and Berkeley activists. While the sheriff enjoys support from southern Alameda County and the 
Tri-Valley area, he has his share of critics over cooperation with the U.S. Immigration and Customs 
Enforcement, hosting a large militarized police training event known as Urban Shield, and his 
management of Santa Rita Jail.  Since 2014, at least 58 people incarcerated at the Dublin jail have died 
while in custody. One of the largest county jails in the country, Santa Rita Jail is now subject to external 
oversight and a series of mandatory reforms following the settlement of a class-action lawsuit that 
alleged the sheriff wasn’t providing adequate mental health services.” [Oaklandside, 6/7/22] 

Ahern’s Re-Election Materials Prominently Featured The “Thin Blue Line” Flag, Which Had Been 
Co-Opted In Recent Years By White Supremacy Groups, On Both Sides. “Alameda County Sheriff Greg 
Ahern’s re-election campaign sent a large, glossy mailer to voters over the weekend that extolled his 
department’s ability to “keep us safe.” The mailer also prominently featured the “thin blue line” 
American flag on both sides of the piece. —The black and white American flag with a blue line 
emblazoned across its center is often used by police personnel and supporters and represents law 
enforcement’s presence in protecting the public from civil disorder. However, the thin blue line flag has 
been co-opted in recent years by white supremacy groups. Opponents of law enforcement, especially 
those in Alameda County, view the thin blue line flag as a pro-police banner, making its use by the Ahern 
campaign to be a curiously muddled message.” [East Bay Insiders, 5/2/22] 

Alameda Democrats Said Ahern Was A Fascist. “Three members of the Alameda County Democratic 
Central Committee last week labeled Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern as fascist and a “Fascist Nazi.” 
[East Bay Insiders, 5/13/22] 

Hernandez Expressed Confidence In Republican Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern’s Immigration 
Policies. “At the time, Dublin Councilmember Melissa Hernandez, then known as Melissa Strah, opposed 
efforts to declare the city a sanctuary for immigrants. Instead, Hernandez and then-Dublin Mayor David 
Haubert expressed confidence in Republican Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern’s immigration policies. 
“I believe the Alameda County sheriff’s office general order. I read it and I also feel the general order is in 
line with federal law,” Hernandez said during the discussion in March 2017. She added that the sheriff’s 
office appeared to “have everything in order.”” [East Bay Insiders, 5/31/26] 

Hernandez Expressed Support For A Policy Which Allowed The Sheriff’s Department To Provide Inmate 
Release Notifications To ICE. ““I believe the Alameda County sheriff’s office general order. I read it and I 
also feel the general order is in line with federal law,” Hernandez said during the discussion in March 
2017. She added that the sheriff’s office appeared to “have everything in order.” The general order she 
referenced prohibited Ahern from honoring ICE detainer requests that would extend an inmate’s 
detention beyond their release date. However, the policy still allowed the department to provide inmate 
release notifications to ICE, a practice that drew strong criticism from immigrant-rights advocates.” [East 
Bay Insiders, 5/31/26] 

Hernandez voted to support a sales tax amidst mismanagement of finances [CBS News, 2/26/26, SFCTA] 

BART Finances

Independent-expenditure corroboration

FEC Schedule E · 28 filings

Sequence. Messaging guidance was present on the candidate's site when detected on 2026-07-28; $588,045 in supporting independent expenditures is on file for this candidate, and $37,500 opposing.

Committee AmountFilingsDate range
S COMMITTEE FOR WORKING FAMILIES, SPONSORED BY LABOR ORGANIZATIONS $547,816 15 2026-04-29 – 2026-05-27
S ALAMEDA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE $38,711 8 2026-05-21 – 2026-05-26
O BOLD AMERICA $37,500 1 2026-07-24 – 2026-07-24
S WORKING FAMILIES PARTY PAC $1,166 2 2026-05-31 – 2026-05-31
S UNITY & JUSTICE FUND $352 2 2026-05-27 – 2026-05-30

S Supporting O Opposing

FEC filings can be trailing evidence — smaller expenditures may surface only in periodic reports. Supporting IE dated on or after our detection day: $0. Dates are FEC expenditure dates.

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