In the race to replace former Rep. Kevin McCarthy in Congress, San Joaquin Valley voters on Tuesday elected Vince Fong, a Republican state Assemblyman who was endorsed by McCarthy and Donald Trump.
The Associated Press called a special election for Fong in California's 20th congressional district at 8:17 p.m. Fong edged out fellow Republican Mike Boudreaux, the Tulare County sheriff.
McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) resigned from Congress at the end of 2023 after being eliminated as House Speaker. Fong will complete McCarthy's term, which ends in January, representing a vast agricultural district spanning Kern, Tulare, Kings and Fresno counties.
In a prepared statement, Fong said he was “full of humility and gratitude” for the early results.
“Once the campaign is over, the real work begins,” he said. “In Congress, I will remain focused on solving the tough problems facing our community: securing the border, supporting small businesses, attracting investment in infrastructure and water storage, unleashing our energy industry, and keeping America safe amid the crises.” serious security threats it faces. our nation.”
Fong, 44, began his career working for McCarthy's predecessor, then-Rep. Bill Thomas worked for nearly a decade as McCarthy's district director before winning an Assembly seat in 2016.
Boudreaux, 57, has been sheriff of Tulare County for more than a decade and serves as head of the California State Sheriffs Association.
Boudreaux said in a statement that he called to congratulate Fong on Tuesday night. He added that he was “absolutely humbled by the outpouring of support from family, friends and neighbors from Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern counties who volunteered their time and energy for our campaign and donated generously to spread our message. a better Valley.”
Fong and Boudreaux will meet again in November, when voters will elect a representative to a full two-year term in Congress. Being the starter will give Fong a significant advantage.
Although McCarthy was not on the ballot, the former House speaker helped boost Fong, using his political clout and fundraising prowess to help his hand-picked successor.
Fong placed first in the March primary for the full two-year term and the remainder of McCarthy's term, and raised more than three times as much money as Boudreaux.
Fong also had support from a political action committee called Central Valley Values, which reported raising $950,000 from McCarthy's Majority Committee PAC and a new PAC funded by major Republican donors, including former McCarthy ally Barbara Grimm. Marshall, from Grimmway Farms in Bakersfield, the world's largest carrot. cultivator.
Fong was also boosted by Trump's endorsement in March, which many believe was orchestrated by McCarthy. The endorsement was a blow to Fong, who has largely avoided the culture wars that dominate factions of the Republican Party and has tried to win over right-wing Republicans skeptical of the political establishment.
