Two California Republicans Competing To Replace Kevin McCarthy

A pair of California Republicans are set to face off against one another to replace former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) in the House following McCarthy’s departure from Congress.

California Assemblyman Vince Fong and Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux are scheduled to advance to a runoff election on May 21, 2024, to finish McCarthy’s term in the House, according to the Associated Press (AP). McCarthy left Congress in December 2023 after being ousted from the speakership.

Fong and Boudreaux will also compete in the general election for a full term of their own on Nov. 5, 2024. The AP reported that Fong, backed by former President Donald Trump and McCarthy, is likely to advance in the special election.

“I am grateful that voters have once again chosen experienced, common-sense leadership to represent the Central Valley in Washington, D.C.,” Fong said in a statement.

The AP predicted that Boudreaux would match up against Fong in May 2024.

“I am honored to continue making the case for a safer Valley in Congress rooted in real experience,” Boudreaux said.

Both Republicans received the most votes in the Super Tuesday general election primary on March 5, 2024, and in the March 19, 2024, special election primary.

In the special election primary, Fong obtained 42.3% of the vote, while Boudreaux had 25.8%, with 99% of the vote counted. Bakersfield teacher Marisa Wood, a Democrat, garnered less than 23% of the vote, earning her third place in the contest.

Whoever emerges victorious in the upcoming runoff election would be sworn in immediately to finish McCarthy’s term, set to end in January 2025. The winner of the general election would begin a new term during the same period.

In December 2023, McCarthy resigned from the House after being removed from the speakership by eight Republicans and all Democrats in the chamber. The former California congressman’s ouster from the position came after he passed a whopping spending bill including many of the left’s earmarks.

Notably, Fong served as McCarthy’s district director for almost 10 years before being elected to the California Assembly. Boudreaux is the president of the California State Sheriffs’ Association and has served as sheriff of Tulare County for over a decade.