Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Trump Vowed to Dismantle MS-13. His Deal With Bukele Threatens That Effort.

2 hours ago

Ukraine Voices Concern as US Halts Some Missile Shipments

2 hours ago

Poll: Most Americans Say National Divide, Political Violence Threaten Democracy

2 hours ago

Paramount Settles With Trump Over ‘60 Minutes’ Interview for $16 Million

2 hours ago

Republicans Tee up House Vote on Trump Bill, Outcome Uncertain

2 hours ago

What’s Next for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs After His Sex Trafficking Trial?

2 hours ago

Dalai Lama Says He Will Be Reincarnated, Trust Will Identify Successor

3 hours ago

Shaver Lake and Reedley 4th of July Shows Are Wednesday. Who Else Is Celebrating?

2 days ago
Special Congressional Election Tuesday. How Many Have Voted Already?
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 1 year ago on
March 17, 2024

Share

Special election for Congressional District 20 concludes Tuesday.

Winner will serve remainder of term until Jan. 3, 2025.

Vince Fong and Mike Boudreaux finished 1-2 in the March 5 election.


Just two weeks after voters made one decision about the future of Congressional District 20, a special election concludes this Tuesday, March 19.

Nine candidates are on the ballot to complete the term vacated by Kevin McCarthy, who quit Dec. 31. The term starts shortly after election results are known, and ends Jan. 3, 2025.

If no candidate receives a majority, the top-two vote earners face off in a May 21 runoff.

Almost 100,000 returned ballots thus far in the three of the four counties of the district — Kern, Fresno, Tulare and Kings counties.

Voters were sent mail-in ballots, that can be returned with postage already paid. Drop boxes are spread throughout the district. Some voting centers, at least in Fresno County, are open.  A Fresno County map can be found here.

Assemblyman Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, finished first in the March 5 regular primary, for the term starting Jan. 3, 2025. He will face Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, R-Springville, in the Nov. 5 general election.

Fong and Boudreaux are the logical favorites to finish 1-2 again. Educator Marisa Wood, D-Bakersfield, is likely the top Democrat on the ballot.

The turnout is expected to be lower than in the regular primary election, which would further benefit the Republican heavy district.

The question is whether a candidate can get more than 50%.

Note: after this story first published, Kings County reported receiving 7,436 votes as of March 18.

What if Fong Wins?

If Fong does win, he would likely resign his Assembly seat for Washington. If that is the case, the seat could remain vacant until after the November general election concludes.

State law does not require the governor to call for a special election if there is a vacancy, because it is the last year of a term. The new term starts Dec. 2, 2024.

Fong’s name will still be on the November ballot, for both Congress and Assembly. Ken Weir, a Bakersfield city councilmember and Republican, will also be on the ballot. Weir qualified as a write-in, with Fong’s support.

Who is on the March 19 Ballot?

  • Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield; state Assemblyman*
  • Mike Boudreaux, R-Springville; Tulare County Sheriff*
  • Kyle Kirkland, R-Clovis; owner of Club One Casino*
  • Marisa Wood, D-Bakersfield; educator*
  • Benjamin Dewell, NPP-Tehachapi; Eastern Kern APCD variance board member*
  • Harmesh Kumar, D-Concord; clinical psychologist
  • Anna Zoë Cohen, R-Bakersfield; high school employee
  • David Fluhart, NPP-Caliente; cannabis grower
  • James Cardoza, NPP-Fresno; real estate photographer

*Also ran in the March 5 election for the full-term seat.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

From Victims to Perpetrators: Israeli Soldiers’ Nazi Comparisons and the Unfolding War Crimes in Gaza

DON'T MISS

Downtown Housing Could Rise in Many California Cities, but Barriers Remain

DON'T MISS

Bryan Kohberger to Plead Guilty to Murders of Four Idaho Students

DON'T MISS

Dear Mayor and City Council, Fresno’s Housing Bottlenecks Are a Modern Form of Redlining

DON'T MISS

Iran Enacts Law Suspending Cooperation With UN Nuclear Watchdog

DON'T MISS

Valley Children’s Goes Into News Business to Highlight Stories at the Hospital

DON'T MISS

Trump Vowed to Dismantle MS-13. His Deal With Bukele Threatens That Effort.

DON'T MISS

Ukraine Voices Concern as US Halts Some Missile Shipments

DON'T MISS

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Logan Ryan Martin

DON'T MISS

Poll: Most Americans Say National Divide, Political Violence Threaten Democracy

UP NEXT

Downtown Housing Could Rise in Many California Cities, but Barriers Remain

UP NEXT

Bryan Kohberger to Plead Guilty to Murders of Four Idaho Students

UP NEXT

Dear Mayor and City Council, Fresno’s Housing Bottlenecks Are a Modern Form of Redlining

UP NEXT

Iran Enacts Law Suspending Cooperation With UN Nuclear Watchdog

UP NEXT

Valley Children’s Goes Into News Business to Highlight Stories at the Hospital

UP NEXT

Trump Vowed to Dismantle MS-13. His Deal With Bukele Threatens That Effort.

UP NEXT

Ukraine Voices Concern as US Halts Some Missile Shipments

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Logan Ryan Martin

UP NEXT

Poll: Most Americans Say National Divide, Political Violence Threaten Democracy

UP NEXT

Meta’s Instagram Down for Thousands of Users in US, Downdetector Shows

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Dear Mayor and City Council, Fresno’s Housing Bottlenecks Are a Modern Form of Redlining

1 hour ago

Iran Enacts Law Suspending Cooperation With UN Nuclear Watchdog

1 hour ago

Valley Children’s Goes Into News Business to Highlight Stories at the Hospital

1 hour ago

Trump Vowed to Dismantle MS-13. His Deal With Bukele Threatens That Effort.

2 hours ago

Ukraine Voices Concern as US Halts Some Missile Shipments

2 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Logan Ryan Martin

2 hours ago

Poll: Most Americans Say National Divide, Political Violence Threaten Democracy

2 hours ago

Meta’s Instagram Down for Thousands of Users in US, Downdetector Shows

2 hours ago

Paramount Settles With Trump Over ‘60 Minutes’ Interview for $16 Million

2 hours ago

Republicans Tee up House Vote on Trump Bill, Outcome Uncertain

2 hours ago

From Victims to Perpetrators: Israeli Soldiers’ Nazi Comparisons and the Unfolding War Crimes in Gaza

The Israeli military’s ongoing assault on the Gaza Strip has reached a tipping point — not just in terms of human suffering and infras...

11 minutes ago

A general view shows destruction in North Gaza, as seen from Israel, May 27, 2025 (REUTERS/Amir Cohen TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
11 minutes ago

From Victims to Perpetrators: Israeli Soldiers’ Nazi Comparisons and the Unfolding War Crimes in Gaza

San Francisco Housing Development
30 minutes ago

Downtown Housing Could Rise in Many California Cities, but Barriers Remain

Bryan Kohberger, right, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, is escorted into a courtroom to appear at a hearing in Latah County District Court, in Moscow, Idaho, U.S., September 13, 2023. (Reuters File)
33 minutes ago

Bryan Kohberger to Plead Guilty to Murders of Four Idaho Students

1 hour ago

Dear Mayor and City Council, Fresno’s Housing Bottlenecks Are a Modern Form of Redlining

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during a meeting in Ilam, Iran, June 12, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

Iran Enacts Law Suspending Cooperation With UN Nuclear Watchdog

1 hour ago

Valley Children’s Goes Into News Business to Highlight Stories at the Hospital

A makeshift memorial for victims of the MS-13 gang in Central Islip, N.Y., Aug. 28, 2017. Top gang leaders being sent back to El Salvador were part of a lengthy federal investigation that has amassed evidence of a corrupt pact between the government of President Nayib Bukele government and MS-13. (Chang W. Lee/The New York Times)
2 hours ago

Trump Vowed to Dismantle MS-13. His Deal With Bukele Threatens That Effort.

The Ukrainian and U.S. national flags fly outside a building, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, May 12, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

Ukraine Voices Concern as US Halts Some Missile Shipments

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend