Melissa Hernandez

Candidate for U.S. Representative, Congressional District 14

Melissa Hernandez is a Democrat running for California's 14th Congressional District. The seat opened when Eric Swalwell left it in 2026. Hernandez has lived in the Tri-Valley and Dublin area for roughly 30 years. She earned a degree from California State University, East Bay. Her field was Political Science, Public Affairs & Administration. Before politics, she was a small-business manager. She worked in the dental and health sectors. She served eight years on the Dublin City Council. That included two terms as Dublin's mayor, through 2024. She was the first Latina to hold that office. In 2024, she won a seat on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors. She won it for District 5. She was later elected BART Board President. She was again the first Latina to hold that post. She now works for Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert. Her role there oversees health and human services. She advanced through a regular June 2026 primary for the seat. She also advanced through a special primary, then lost the August 18, 2026 special runoff to Aisha Wahab. Her platform centers on cost of living, housing, and childcare. It also stresses healthcare affordability. Home: Dublin, California. Occupation: oversees health and human services in the office of Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert. Prior office: Dublin City Council member and Mayor of Dublin (through 2024). Current office: BART Board of Directors member and Board President (2024-present). She has held no prior federal office.

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