Republicans Vince Fong and Mike Boudreaux Lead Race to Replace Kevin McCarthy
The special election was called after McCarthy resigned upon being removed as Speaker of the House.
Earlier this week, the special election occurred in California to fill a vacancy in the U.S. House of Representatives. This election was conducted with a nonpartisan ballot featuring nine candidates. If someone obtains a 50%+1 majority, then they will be elected outright. If not, then the top two finishers will advance to a runoff on May 21, 2024.
The special election for California’s 20th Congressional District was called following the resignation of U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthy, after being removed as Speaker of the House. He represented this district from January 2007 to December 2023.
A runoff has been called between Republican Vince Fong and Republican Mike Boudreaux. They currently lead with 42.3% and 25.8% against Democrat Marisa Wood with 22.6%, Republican Kyle Kirkland with 4.9%, Democrat Harmesh Kumar with 2.4%, Independent Ben Dewell with 0.9%, Independent David Fluhart with 0.7%, Independent James Cardoza with 0.2%, and Republican Anna Cohen with 0.2%. 121,098 votes have been counted.
Today’s election covers the remaining months on McCarthy’s unexpired term - which concludes in January 2025. The primary for the regular two-year term in the 20th District occurred two weeks ago. Fong and Boudreaux also advanced to the general election in that contest with 41.9% and 24.1%, respectively. Wood finished in third with 21.3%.
For a decade, Fong served as McCarthy’s District Director. He left that role to run for the California State Assembly. He has served in that legislative body since December 2016. Meanwhile, Boudreaux has served as Tulare County Sheriff since 2013.
California’s 20th Congressional District is considered the most Republican seat in the state’s delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives. It contains parts of Kern, Tulare, Kings and Fresno Counties. It includes sections of several cities - including Bakersfield, Fresno, Hanford, Tulare and Visalia.
Republicans currently control the U.S. House with a slim 218-213 majority against Democrats. This is one of four current vacancies in the legislative chamber, with another seat becoming vacant next month. Moreover, all 435 seats will be up for regular two-year terms in November 2024.