California State Assemblyman Vince Fong emerged victorious in the special election to fill the seat left vacant by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in the state’s 20th Congressional District. Fong, a Republican, defeated Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux in an all-GOP showdown, solidifying the House Republicans’ slim majority on Capitol Hill.
McCarthy, who resigned from his heavily Republican Central Valley seat after being ousted as speaker, threw his support behind Fong, a former staffer, as his successor. Fong will serve out the remainder of McCarthy’s term until January next year, with a rematch set for November when they will compete for a full two-year term.
In the first round of the special election held in March, Fong, backed by former President Donald Trump, emerged as the top candidate, but as he did not secure a majority of the vote, a runoff was held this month between him and Boudreaux. The 20th District contest was the first of three House special elections for vacant GOP seats scheduled over the next five weeks.
The next special election will take place on June 11 in Ohio’s 6th Congressional District to fill the seat left by former Rep. Bill Johnson, who resigned to lead Youngstown State University. Following that, on June 25, Colorado’s 4th District will hold a special election to replace former Rep. Ken Buck, who resigned in March citing the dysfunction in Congress. The upcoming special elections will play a crucial role in shaping the composition of the House of Representatives.