Vince Fong

The Bakersfield assemblyman has a double-digit lead over Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, also a Republican.

A recent superior court ruling allows the California state lawmaker to simultaneously run for Congress and for reelection to his current seat.

Rob Bonta filed the request Jan. 22 asking for a reversal of a lower court’s ruling allowing the candidate to run for two offices at the same time.

Superior Court Judge Shelleyanne Chang paves the way for Vince Fong to campaign to succeed his former boss.

‘Throughout his career, Vince has fought tirelessly to improve the quality of life in the Central Valley,’ Mr. McCarthy wrote in an endorsement letter.

“Catalytic converter theft costs ... money that could have gone to pay the bills, and loopholes must be closed to stop these rampant thefts,” the lawmaker said.