■Former President Donald Trump endorses Bakersfield Republican Vince Fong in CA-20 congressional race.

■Fong says he is “honored” by Trump’s backing.

■Fong also has the endorsement of former seat-holder Kevin McCarthy.

Vince Fong received a major endorsement in his run for Congress — former President Donald Trump.

Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social site.

“Vince was one of only 6 Republicans in the State Assembly to stand with me, and reject the Second Impeachment Hoax. In Congress, Vince will work with me to Grow the Economy, Lower your Taxes, Cut Burdensome Regulations, Champion American Energy, and Protect and Defend the Second Amendment, which is under siege by the Radical Left,” Trump wrote.  “I am proud to join California’s Republican Congressional Delegation, and give Vince Fong my Complete and Total Endorsement!”

Fong, R-Bakersfield, is running in both the regular election on March 5 and a special election on March 19 to replace former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, who resigned on Dec. 31.

Fong, in a news release, said he was “honored” by the endorsement.

“I look forward to serving alongside President Trump and working with him to secure the border, protect our national security, and grow our economy. The Central Valley has had enough of the failures of the Biden administration. We are ready to once again have leaders in DC, like President Trump, that will fight for our interests and values,” Fong said.

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Elections March 5, 19

Fong, a three-term Assemblyman representing parts of Kern and Tulare counties, already received the endorsement of McCarthy. Fong worked as McCarthy’s district director before winning election in 2016.

Eleven candidates will be on the March 5 ballot for the term that starts Jan. 3, 2025. Top contenders are Fong, Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, R-Springville; Club One Casino owner Kyle Kirkland, R-Clovis; and educator Marisa Wood, D-Bakersfield.

Boudreaux recently received the endorsement of Clovis businessman David Giglio, a fellow Republican who dropped out of the race.

The top two vote earners will advance to the Nov. 5 general election, regardless of party or the result of the special election.

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To fill the remainder of the term, nine candidates are running on March 19. Fong, Boudreaux, Kirkland, and Wood are running as well. If no candidate receives a majority, the top two advance to a May 21 runoff. The winner is likely to be seated in Washington shortly after the election results are known.

Fong also faces the prospect that he may be kicked off the ballot, even after the March 5 election. California Secretary of State Shirley Weber is challenging Fong’s eligibility — since he also qualified to run for Assembly re-election. State law has been interpreted that a candidate can only run for one position per election.

Weber initially barred Fong from running for Congress, but he sued and a Sacramento County Superior Court judge ruled in his favor. Weber appealed, but that decision may not come until after March 5. The decision would not prevent Fong from running in the special election.

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