Maxine Waters Faces Formidable Primary Challenger in Myla Rahman

After decades of landslide victories, the 87-year-old California congresswoman is being challenged by a 53-year-old nonprofit executive

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Maxine Waters, one of the most entrenched Democratic lawmakers in Congress, is facing a formidable primary challenger in Myla Rahman, a 53-year-old nonprofit executive, for the upcoming midterm elections in California's 43rd district. Rahman argues that Waters has become out of touch with her constituents, who are on average 36 years old and mostly renters, and that the district needs new energy and a more relatable perspective.

Why it matters

Waters has held her congressional seat for over three decades, rarely facing tough primary challenges. Her campaign is not well-funded, raising questions about complacency. Rahman's candidacy represents a potential shift in the Democratic party, with younger, more energetic challengers taking on long-entrenched incumbents.

The details

Maxine Waters, 87, has been a Democratic member of Congress representing California's 43rd district since 1991. She has become a prominent figure in the party, currently serving as the top-ranking Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee. However, Waters is now facing a primary challenge from Myla Rahman, a 53-year-old nonprofit executive who argues that Waters is out of touch with the district's younger, renter-heavy population. Rahman says the community wants "new energy" and a "more relatable" perspective. While Rahman shares similar ideological views with Waters, she believes her youth and energy will resonate more with voters. Waters' campaign is also not well-funded, raising only $430,000 in 2025 and starting the year with just $150,000 on hand.

  • Waters was first elected to Congress in 1991, when George H.W. Bush was president.
  • The upcoming midterm elections, where Rahman is challenging Waters, will take place in 2026.

The players

Maxine Waters

An 87-year-old Democratic member of Congress who has represented California's 43rd district since 1991. She is currently the top-ranking Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee.

Myla Rahman

A 53-year-old nonprofit executive who is challenging Waters in the Democratic primary for California's 43rd congressional district. Rahman argues that Waters is out of touch with the district's younger, renter-heavy population and that the community wants "new energy" and a "more relatable" perspective.

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What they’re saying

“The community has said that they'd like new energy, a new perspective. And the reality is, the average age is 36 years old in the district. The average person is a renter in the district. So we've got a lot of issues that are relatable to my life experience.”

— Myla Rahman, Nonprofit executive (Politico)

“I'm sure I'll get a lot of calls. I'm waiting for 'how dare you? The audacity of you, who do you think you are?' And what I can say is that there's a choice, and this is a democracy. That's why we have elections, and the voters can decide.”

— Myla Rahman, Nonprofit executive (Politico)

The takeaway

This primary challenge to Maxine Waters, a long-entrenched Democratic lawmaker, represents a potential shift in the party, with younger, more energetic candidates seeking to unseat incumbents who may have become out of touch with their constituents. The outcome of this race could signal whether the Democratic party is ready to embrace new voices and perspectives.