California State Assemblyman Vince Fong wins special election to succeed former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy

California State Assemblyman Vince Fong wins special election to succeed former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy

In a closely watched race, California State Assemblyman Vince Fong has emerged victorious in the special election to fill the seat vacated by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Fong, a Republican, defeated Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux in an all-GOP clash, securing a crucial win for House Republicans.

McCarthy, who resigned from his heavily Republican Central Valley seat after being deposed as speaker, endorsed Fong as his successor. Fong will now serve out the remainder of McCarthy’s term through January next year, with a rematch set for November when they will compete for a full two-year term.

The first round of the special election took place in March, with Fong finishing first ahead of Boudreaux and Democrat Marisa Wood. Fong, who also had the support of former President Donald Trump, did not secure a majority of the vote, leading to a runoff between the top two finishers.

The 20th District contest is the first of three House special elections for vacant GOP seats over the next five weeks. The next special election will take place on June 11 in Ohio’s 6th Congressional District, followed by Colorado’s 4th District on June 25.

Fong’s victory is seen as a significant win for House Republicans as they seek to maintain their razor-thin majority on Capitol Hill. The outcome of these special elections will have implications for the balance of power in Congress and the direction of key legislative priorities.

Stay tuned for more updates on the upcoming special elections and their impact on the political landscape.