McCarthy's pick in runoff for seat
LOS ANGELES — Republican state legislator Vince Fong advanced to a May election in California to decide who will complete the remainder of the term of deposed former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, which runs through January.
Fong, a onetime McCarthy aide who also has his endorsement, emerged from a crowded field of contenders who now are vying to take Fong on in the May 21 special election in the 20th District.
Early returns Tuesday showed Fong, Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, another Republican, and Democrat Marisa Wood edging ahead of the field.
Many voters just saw some of the same names on the March 5 primary ballot for the full 20th Congressional District term that begins in January. Fong and Boudreaux have advanced to the November election in that contest.
The special election only covers the time remaining in McCarthy’s term, running through early next year. If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, the top-two finishers would be matched in a May 21 election.
Former President Donald Trump endorsed Fong, a California Assembly member, in February, calling him “a true Republican.” Boudreaux’s supporters include Ric Grenell, a former acting director of national intelligence in the Trump administration, and Republican state Sen. Shannon Grove of Bakersfield, Fong’s home turf.
Fong is McCarthy’s handpicked choice and a product of his political operation, while the sheriff is not.
Fong is a legislator coming out of McCarthy’s orbit who says he is offering “trusted, tested leadership.” He dominated the race in fundraising. Boudreaux, who is the son of a detective, spotlights his decades of law-and-order experience and says he has “the knowhow to keep us safe.”
The district, which cuts through the Central Valley farm belt including parts of Bakersfield and Fresno, is the most strongly Republican House seat in heavily Democratic California.
Republicans occupy only 11 of the state’s 52 House seats, with the one held by McCarthy currently vacant. The party’s fragile majority in the chamber was not at stake in Tuesday’s election.