POLITICS08/19/26

Swalwell Seat Special Election

A special election is underway to fill Eric Swalwell's vacated California congressional seat.

Photo: Fox News Politics

FRAMING Washington Post emphasized AIPAC Money Influence; Fox News Politics emphasized Swalwell Scandal Context.

WHAT BOTH SIDES REPORT

▸The two candidates competing are progressive state Sen. Aisha Wahab and moderate Democrat Melissa Hernandez. — Washington Post, Fox News Politics

LEFT / CENTER-LEFT

▸Washington Post reported AIPAC's super PAC poured nearly $2.5 million to boost Hernandez over Wahab. — Washington Post

RIGHT / CENTER-RIGHT

▸Fox News reported Swalwell resigned in April amid sexual assault allegations from at least five women. — Fox News Politics
▸Fox News noted Swalwell had also dropped a California gubernatorial bid before his resignation. — Fox News Politics
▸Fox News described the race results as still undecided in early Wednesday morning hours. — Fox News Politics

DOJ Threatens California Election Officials

The DOJ warned California officials that processing ballots from suspected noncitizens could result in criminal prosecution.

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Thursday: The Justice Department gave California 48 hours to review flagged noncitizen voters or face emergency legal action.

Sunday: DOJ threatens criminal prosecution for processing noncitizen ballots

Left: Feds pressure California mid-election with criminal threat

Right: Trump vows jail if noncitizen ballots are counted

DOJ charged 28 noncitizens and arrested 11 in California under 'Operation Protect the Vote.'

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Thursday: The Justice Department gave California 48 hours to review flagged noncitizen voters or face emergency legal action.

Sunday: DOJ threatens criminal prosecution for processing noncitizen ballots

Tuesday: DOJ charges 28 noncitizens, arrests 11 in California

Left: Defendants say they never registered to vote.

Right: DOJ arrests 11, charges 28 noncitizen voters.

Trump endorses Netanyahu for Israel's Oct. 27 election, says U.S. may have to fight Iran alone without him

Left: sees U.S. meddling and Iran war stakes.

Right: highlights allied resolve to finish Iran job.

At a CNN town hall, Talarico defended his nine-day flu absence and criticized Paxton for conspiracy theories.

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Oct 12: Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico attributed a roughly two-week campaign absence to having the flu.

Thursday: Talarico defends flu absence, attacks Paxton conspiracy claims

Left: Paxton allies falsely called it a mental health crisis.

Right: Talarico says he'd handle his flu absence the same way.