Melissa Hernandez
D · U.S. House, CA-14 · Tier 1/2
Tier 1/2, between “Firmly pro-Israel” and “Mainstream pro-Israel”
Asked at an April 2026 candidate forum whether Israel was committing genocide in Gaza, she was the only candidate who did not answer yes; she said Israel “had the right to defend itself” and “the right to secure the release of hostages,” but that “the destruction in Gaza … has gone too far and the people are paying the cost and so are the civilians” (San Francisco Chronicle). AIPAC's super PAC, the United Democracy Project, spent more than $2.4 million boosting her and attacking Wahab in the special election, and the Mercury News reported that several of her donors, many with direct ties to AIPAC, operate out of state. Her campaign site does not address Israel or Gaza. She lost the 18 Aug special runoff to Wahab, about 47% to 53%, and the two meet again on 3 Nov for the full term.
A 1/2, on a thin record: one forum answer. Asked at an April 2026 candidate forum whether what is happening to the Palestinian people is a genocide, she was the only one of four participants who did not say yes. Instead she said Israel “had the right to defend itself” after the October 7 attacks “and the right to secure the release of hostages,” but that “the destruction in Gaza … has gone too far and the people are paying the cost and so are the civilians” (San Francisco Chronicle). Her criticism of Israel’s conduct and concern for Gaza’s civilians come in the same breath as Israel’s right to defend itself, and the answer says nothing on arming Israel; her campaign site does not address Israel or Gaza. KQED reported that the United Democracy Project, AIPAC’s super PAC, spent $2.4 million to boost her and defeat Wahab, and DMFI’s PAC gave her $5,000. Counter-case: 2, since “has gone too far and the people are paying the cost” criticizes Israel’s conduct in her own words.
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elect26 places 2026 midterm candidates on a six-tier spectrum, from 1 (most pro-Israel) to 6 (most critical of Israel).