Republican Vince Fong Leads in Race to Fill McCarthy’s Unfinished Term

Since no candidate secures more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two finishers will go head-to-head on May 21.

California State Assemblyman Vince Fong, vice chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, asks questions during a meeting in Sacramento, Calif., on Jan. 23, 2024. Travis Gillmore/The Epoch Times

Republican California state Assemblyman Vince Fong prevailed in the March 19 special election to fill former Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s unfinished term, which runs through January 2025.

Early election results show the Bakersfield lawmaker winning 40.5 percent vote, followed by Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux—also a Republican—at 26.3 percent and Democrat candidate Marisa Wood, at 23.3 percent. Nine candidates vied for the 20th Congressional District seat—which covers the Central Valley including parts of Fresno, Kern, Kings, and Tulare counties.