California State Assemblyman Vince Fong is projected to win the special election in the 20th Congressional District to succeed former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Fong’s victory in an all-GOP competition against Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux will help Republicans strengthen their majority in the House of Representatives. McCarthy, who resigned from his seat after being removed as speaker, endorsed Fong as his successor, with Fong set to complete McCarthy’s term until January of the following year, and then facing a rematch in November for a full two-year term.
During the first round of the special election in March, all candidates, regardless of party, ran on the same ballot. Fong, who received support from former President Donald Trump, finished first in the race ahead of Boudreaux and Democrat Marisa Wood. Since Fong did not secure a majority of the votes, the race moved to a face-off between the top two finishers in the most recent special election. This contest marks the first of three House special elections scheduled for vacant GOP seats over the next few weeks.
The next special election is set for June 11 in Ohio’s 6th Congressional District, where voters will choose a successor to former Rep. Bill Johnson, who resigned to take a position as the president of Youngstown State University. Following that, on June 25, Colorado’s 4th District is holding a special election to replace former Rep. Ken Buck, a staunch conservative known for occasionally clashing with his party. In his resignation announcement in March, Buck criticized Congress for getting mired in bickering and not effectively working for the American people.
Fong’s victory in the special election will help Republicans maintain their slim majority in the House of Representatives and further solidify their position on Capitol Hill. With McCarthy’s endorsement and his background as a former staffer, Fong is being positioned as the successor to the former House Speaker in California’s 20th Congressional District. The upcoming rematch in November will determine who will hold the seat for a full two-year term, with both Fong and Boudreaux vying for the position.
The special election results showcase the ongoing political dynamics within the Republican party, with former President Trump’s endorsement playing a significant role in Fong’s success in the initial round of the special election. The subsequent face-off between Fong and Boudreaux underscores the competitive nature of the race for the 20th Congressional District seat in California. As one of the first of three House special elections for vacant GOP seats, the outcome of this contest is crucial for the party’s overall majority in the House.
Looking ahead, the special elections in Ohio’s 6th Congressional District and Colorado’s 4th District will provide additional insight into the political landscape as Republicans and Democrats vie for control of these vacant seats. The shifting dynamics within both parties will be on display as voters in these districts make their choices for new representatives. With the political climate in flux, these special elections will play a pivotal role in shaping the composition of the House of Representatives leading up to the next general election.
