Rakhi Israni's $2 Million Campaign is Barely Outpacing Republican Who Painted Her Own Yard Signs
First-time candidate spent heavily in CA14, only to be barely leading the fifth-place Republican opponent who spent nothing and painted her own yard signs; ACDems vote to support Wahab's SB 1193
☕️MORNING BUZZ
Vol. VI, No. 1,292
🗓️5 days to CA14 Special Primary
—Rakhi Israni’s campaign for the 14th Congressional District is shaping up as one of the most expensive disappointments in recent Alameda County political history.
The first-time candidate spent nearly $2 million, including $1.4 million of her own money, and left little to chance.
Voters were inundated with mailers, neighborhoods across Hayward, the Tri-Valley, and the Tri-Cities were dotted with her blue yard signs, and her campaign spent heavily on television and digital advertising.
Yet despite the massive investment, Israni’s campaign appears headed for a finish that has political insiders shaking their heads.
—As of Monday’s vote count, Israni held a lead of just 99 votes over fifth-place finisher Dena Maldonado, a Republican candidate who reported spending no money on her campaign and famously hand-painted her own yard signs.
The contrast only grows starker from there.
Maldonado, a florist by trade, even appeared at a remotely held League of Women Voters candidate forum while arranging flower bouquets at work.
—Meanwhile, Israni’s campaign spending translated into one of the highest costs per vote in the race. Based on the latest returns, she spent roughly $100 for every vote she received.
By comparison, frontrunner Aisha Wahab spent about $6 per vote, while second-place finisher Melissa Hernandez spent roughly $17 per vote.
The results underscore a lesson as old as politics itself: money can buy mailers, signs, and television ads, but it cannot guarantee votes.
Wahab, Hernandez, Israni, and Maldonado will have another chance to redeem their efforts in next week’s special primary to serve out the remainder of former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s term through December.
🗳️Alameda County Ballot Overview
Unprocessed ballots: 20,051
Ballots to be cured: 1,600
Total ballots counted: 394,910
*As of Monday afternoon. Next update: Friday afternoon.
—GET THE 411 ON THE 510—
Become an East Bay Insiders subscriber today and get FULL ACCESS to the inside scoop every weekday morning at 6 a.m.
IT’S WHAT THE INSIDERS READ.
⊕MORE INSIDE
COUNTY NEWS: Castro Valley advisory council dissolves committee without knowing why.
Alameda County Democrats back Wahab transparency bill despite opposition from county supervisor.
CITY NEWS: Momentum builds in Fremont for allowing teens to vote in school board elections.
ELECTION 2026: After falling short in CA14 race, Wendy Huang questions role of fellow Republican candidate.
Field of candidates is growing for local November elections: Here’s the latest to RSVP for the fall.
🎙️EAST BAY INSIDERS PODCAST
Oakland Voters Send a Message: What Measure E’s Defeat Means Countywide
—EPISODE 134—The votes are in, and the June Primary election results are already reshaping East Bay politics. Steve Tavares, Trishala Vinnakota, and Justin Berton break down what these results reveal about the political mood of East Bay voters heading into November—and an introduction to the newest member of the East Bay Insiders team.
—Listen on Substack or download episodes at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
