Connie Conway is now officially a congresswoman representing the Central Valley. Even if it is only for 204 days.

At 3:27 p.m. Pacific Time, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi swore Conway, R-Tulare, into office on the House floor. With the California delegation in front — both Republicans and Democrats — Conway raised her right hand promising to defend the Constitution.

Conway then delivered her first floor speech, honored to represent Congressional District 22.

“I accept this charge with deep humility. My constituents, the great people of California’s 22nd District, are facing water shortages, rising inflation, and many other trials not of their own making. Their pain is my pain. Their concerns are my concerns. I stand shoulder to shoulder with them,” Conway said.

She concluded with “a local colloquial saying.”

“Go ‘Dogs, win the Mountain West,” Conway said.

A Second Ceremonial Swearing-In

Shortly after the floor ceremony — with fellow Central Valley congressman David Valadao holding the bible — Pelosi and Conway took ceremonial pictures in the Rayburn Reception Room.

Pelosi said she enjoyed having another grandmother in congress. In her floor speech, Conway joked that her grandson declined to attend because he was taking his driver’s test today.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, also posed for photos and lavished high praise to his new colleague in the adjacent district.

“Here in Congress, she will be a stalwart defender against the radical policies pushed by House Democrats and President Biden’s administration. Congresswoman Conway, with her experience at the USDA, will be a critical partner in championing the Central Valley’s way of life, and I look forward to working with her on the issues impacting our districts and the American people,” McCarthy said in a news release.

A Short Term

California legislative historian Alex Vassar says Conway’s term would be the shortest for a Golden State representative in more than 100 years.

The list of California’s shortest-serving partisan elected officials has been updated. Conway’s 204 days will be the shortest since Henry Stanley Benedict served 117 days in 1917. I am so happy for her.https://t.co/qS5p2DgWHr https://t.co/l1mo4OHMZo

— Alex Vassar (@AlexCVassar) June 14, 2022

Connie Conway will be sworn in today as the newest member of Congress, Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office tells GV Wire.

Please join me in welcoming the newest Republican in the House—my neighbor in California, Connie Conway! pic.twitter.com/k9yX47iWhw

— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) June 14, 2022

Conway, R-Tulare, won a special election last week to fill the vacant Congressional District 22 seat. She will serve until the term expires on Jan. 3, 2023.

Although the results of last week’s runoff between Conway and Fresno Democrat Lourin Hubbard are not officially certified, House rules allow for unofficial results to suffice. Conway garnered 62% of the vote for the district that represents parts of Fresno and Tulare counties.

As of Monday, Conway — still in California — was unsure when she would be sworn in. Speaker Pelosi, D-San Francisco, will hold a ceremonial swearing-in at 3:40 p.m. PDT in the Rayburn Reception Room in the U.S. Capitol.

Conway will be sworn-in on the House floor at an undetermined time prior.

Nunes Resigned the Seat

Conway will complete the term of former Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Tulare. Nunes resigned on Jan. 1 to become CEO of Truth Social, the Twitter alternative founded by former President Donald Trump.

Conway and five other candidates ran in a special election primary on April 5. Since no candidate won more than 50%, the top two advanced to the June 7 runoff.

With redistricting, the current CD 22 is now split across four new districts. Most of the old district is in CD 21, where incumbent Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, is running; and CD 20, where Minority House Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, is running.