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Maxine Waters

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At 87, Maxine Waters Crushes Primary Field With 62% of Vote

LA Focus · June 4, 2026

At 87, U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters showed she remains a political force to be reckoned with, dominating the primary election in California’s 43rd Congressional District despite growing national debate over the age of long-serving elected officials.

According to preliminary election returns, Waters captured 44,460 votes, or 62.16% of the vote, easily outpacing Republican Cristian Morales, who received 19.85% (14,195 votes). Democratic challenger Myla Rahman, who positioned herself as a younger alternative to the veteran congresswoman, finished third with 13.76% (9,839 votes), while David Sedlik received 4.23% (3,026 votes).

Rahman, a nonprofit executive whose campaign received significant financial backing from cryptocurrency interests, attempted to make age and generational change central themes of her challenge. But voters appeared unconvinced, instead delivering a resounding endorsement of Waters’ experience, seniority and longstanding advocacy on behalf of South Los Angeles communities.…