Andreas Borgeas says he is no longer considering a run for Congress.

One day after Congressman Tom McClintock, R-Elk Grove, announced his intention to run for the 5th Congressional District, Borgeas, a Republican state senator from Fresno, says he’s out.

“I intend to suspend my exploratory committee for Congress. My family and I have been honored by the overwhelming support we have received over the last weeks urging me to pursue representing our community in Washington,” Borgeas said in a news release.

Borgeas’ campaign would not say what his 2022 electoral plans are, other than he is not running in any form for Congress — not for the special election to fill the vacancy left by Devin Nunes or for the June primary for a full-time seat.

Options for Senate Re-election

An option is to run for re-election for the state Senate. With redistricting that goes into effect with the June primary, Borgeas’ home district is now Senate District 12, which includes Visalia and Bakersfield.

Borgeas currently representing Senate District 8. The district includes north Fresno, Clovis, and mountain/Gold Country communities extending to the Nevada border.

Shannon Grove, a Republican state senator from Bakersfield, said she plans for re-election in SD 12. It would require a change of address for Grove and would pit her against Borgeas.

If Borgeas wants to avoid an incumbent vs. incumbent matchup, he could run in the adjacent SD 4, where most of his constituents are now because of redistricting. That would require a move, but perhaps not far away.

The district border between SD 4 and SD 12 is the Fresno/Madera county line. Also, the definition of “live” is broadly interpreted by state law. Just a legal voting address within the district at the time of filing is required.

Magsig Still In

McClintock’s announcement has not deterred Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig, R-Clovis, at least from running in the special election.

“I am still in,” Magsig said of his primary plans. But, he has yet to specify in which congressional district he will run.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, will run in Magsig’s hometown district, which will be CD 20. That district includes Clovis and parts of Fresno, Tulare and Kern counties.

Other options include CD 5, the eight-county district in which McClintock plans to run, and CD 21, which includes most of the city of Fresno, and parts of Tulare County where Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, said he will run.

Awaiting Date of Special Election

Gov. Gavin Newsom has until Jan. 15 to call for a special election for Congressional District 22, which will be decided by voters in the current district.

Optional dates now include May 17, 24 or June 7. The primary would take place nine weeks before —March 15, 22 or April 5.

The governor’s office tells GV Wire a decision on calling for the special election date could happen within the next few days.