Rakhi Israni, an Indian attorney and founder of a national educational company, has joined a high-stakes special election triggered by the resignation of longtime Democrtatic Representative Eric Swalwell amid sexual misconduct allegations.
Israni, a Democrat, officially filed her candidacy for California’s 14th Congressional District covering Hayward, Pleasanton, and a significant portion of Fremont in East Bay that Swalwell represented, just before the April 23 deadline.
The special election to select someone to represent the 14th District for the rest of 2026 will be held on June 16th. If any candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, they will be immediately seated in Congress. If not, the seat will remain vacant until a runoff election between the top two candidates on August 18th.
Israni faces a field of candidates from various professional backgrounds, positioning herself as a candidate who can bridge the gap between local grassroots advocacy and federal legislation.
If successful, Israni would make history as the first Indian American woman from California elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Her campaign has focused on ensuring the district’s diverse families have an advocate in Washington who understands the rising costs of living and the unique challenges of the Bay Area’s suburban communities.
After filing, Israni is now moving into a rigorous phase of voter engagement. Her team is prioritizing local town halls and community outreach to mobilize a coalition of voters.
Israni’s professional journey is rooted in her heritage and early career in India. Before establishing herself as a legal and educational leader in the United States, Israni worked in India on legal and compliance matters for the Dabhol Power project.
She holds a JD from the University of Houston and an LLM from Columbia Law School. These experiences, coupled with her upbringing, have made her a prominent voice in the South Asian diaspora, where she advocates for increased civic participation and minority representation in federal policy.
As the president of Excel Test Prep, Israni has spent over two decades focused on educational equity. Her campaign messaging prioritizes small business stability and transparent governance, reflecting her perspective as a local business owner and a mother of four.
She is also a recognized leader in the nonprofit sector, serving as the Vice President of Government and Public Relations for Sewa International USA, where she helps manage a national network of thousands of volunteers for community service and disaster relief.