2024 California's 20th congressional district special election

The 2024 California's 20th congressional district special election was held on March 19, 2024, with a runoff on May 21 because no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the first round. It elected a new member of the United States House of Representatives to replace Kevin McCarthy, who resigned on December 31, 2023, following his removal as speaker of the House.^[1]

For broader coverage of this topic, see California's 20th congressional district.

2024 California's 20th congressional district special election

← 2022 March 19, 2024 (first round) May 21, 2024 (runoff) November 2024 →
California's 20th congressional district
Candidate Vince Fong Mike Boudreaux Marisa Wood Party Republican Republican Democratic First round 51,194 42.3% 31,202 25.8% 27,337 22.6% Runoff 50,643 60.6% 32,952 39.4% Eliminated
First round county results Runoff county results Fong:      30–40%      50–60%      70–80% Boudreaux:      30–40%      50–60%      60–70%
U.S. Representative before election Kevin McCarthy Republican Elected U.S. Representative Vince Fong Republican

Two Republicans, Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux and state assemblyman Vince Fong, advanced to the runoff. Boudreaux narrowly edged out the leading Democrat, teacher Marisa Wood, to claim the second runoff spot. Fong won the runoff with more than 60% of the vote^[2] and is seeking a full term in November 2024; Boudreaux dropped out of the November race but his name will still be on the ballot.^[3]

Background

Further information: January 2023 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election and Removal of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House

At the start of the 118th Congress, Republicans' narrow majority garnered from the 2022 elections allowed McCarthy, the then-leader of the House Republican Conference, to be elected speaker at the start of the session. However, opposition from the far-right Freedom Caucus prolonged the election, leading to fifteen rounds of voting that eventually resulted in McCarthy's election. The caucus continued its opposition of McCarthy during his tenure, threatening a government shutdown following his involvement in negotiations for the federal budget. When McCarthy led the House in passing a continuing resolution, relying on votes from the Democratic Caucus to effectively avert a shutdown, Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida filed a motion to vacate the speakership. On October 3, the motion narrowly passed, and McCarthy was removed from the office of Speaker of the House, the first instance of which in American history.

Two months after his political defeat, McCarthy published an op-ed with The Wall Street Journal announcing his resignation from Congress, highlighting his accomplishments and stating that his work is "only getting started."^[4] His announcement came while House Republicans' majority had already lowered since the expulsion of Representative George Santos of New York, making the legislative agenda of the new speaker, Mike Johnson of Louisiana, more difficult to pass. As such, Republicans see both the special and general House elections in 2024 as crucial to maintaining their influence in Congress.^[5] Nonetheless, this district is considered safely Republican: McCarthy won 67.2% of the vote in 2022 against Democratic challenger Marisa Wood.

Nonpartisan blanket primary

Campaign

Vince Fong, an assemblymember who was considered a protégé of McCarthy, announced that he would be running for the seat after initially declining to run. He was deemed ineligible to run in the 2024 Presidential Primary as the deadline already passed (but not ineligible for the special election) by California Secretary of State Shirley Weber due to Fong having already qualified to be on that ballot for re-election in the California State Assembly, which is prohibited by state law.^[6][7] Fong sued the state, with Superior Court judge Shelleyanne W. L. Chang ruling in favor of Fong and allowing him to run in the election.^[8] In response to the ruling, Weber appealed the ruling and assemblymember Wendy Carrillo introduced a bill that would prevent candidates from running for two elected offices at the same time.^[9][10] In January 2024, Weber filed a petition to a state appeals court to erase the ruling and prohibit Fong from running, while assemblywoman Gail Pellerin introduced a bill to bar candidates from filing to run for more than one office during the same election.^[11]

Candidates

Advanced to general

• Mike Boudreaux (Republican), Tulare County Sheriff (2013–present)^[12]
• Vince Fong (Republican), state assemblyman for the 32nd district (2016–present)^[13]

Eliminated in primary

• James Cardoza (No party preference), real estate photographer^[14]
• Anna Cohen (Republican), high school employee^[14]
• Ben Dewell (No party preference), meteorologist and Democratic candidate for this district in 2022^[14]
• David Fluhart (No party preference), cannabis grower^[14]
• Kyle Kirkland (Republican), casino owner and chairman of the board for Fresno Chaffee Zoo^[15]
• Harmesh Kumar (Democratic), psychologist and perennial candidate^[14]
• Marisa Wood (Democratic), teacher and runner-up for this district in 2022^[16]

Declined

• Garry Bredefeld (Republican), Fresno city councilor (running for the Fresno County Board of Supervisors)^[17]
• John Burrows (Democratic), spokesman for Fresno city councilor Nelson Esparza (endorsed Wood)^[18]
• Tal Eslick (Republican), political consultant and former chief of staff for U.S. Representative David Valadao^[17]
• Shannon Grove (Republican), state senator for the 12th district (2018–present) and former senate minority leader (2019–2021)^[19] (endorsed Boudreaux)^[20]
• Devon Mathis (Republican), state assemblyman for the 33rd district (2014–present)^[21] (endorsed Boudreaux)^[22]
• Jim Patterson (Republican), state assemblyman for the 32nd district (2016–present), former mayor of Fresno (1993–2001), and candidate for this district^{[lower-alpha 1]} in 2002 and the 9th district^{[lower-alpha 2]} in 2010^[23]
• Pete Vander Poel (Republican), Tulare County supervisor (running for re-election)^[17]
• Cole Rajewski (Republican), political consultant and former chief of staff for U.S. Representative David Valadao^[17]

Endorsements

Mike Boudreaux (R)

U.S. executive branch officials

• Richard Grenell, Acting Director of National Intelligence (2020), U.S. Ambassador to Germany (2018–2020)^[24]

U.S. representatives

• Connie Conway, former U.S. representative from California's 22nd congressional district (2022–2023)^[22]

State legislators

• Shannon Grove, state senator for the 12th district (2018–present) and former senate minority leader (2019–2021)^[20]
• Devon Mathis, state assemblyman for the 33rd district (2014–present)^[22]
• Andy Vidak, former state senator for the 14th district (2013–2018)^[22]

Individuals

• Kash Patel, former Trump aide^[24]

Organizations

• California ProLife Council^[25]
• California Republican Assembly^[26]
• California Rifle and Pistol Association (co-endorsement with Fong)^[27]

Labor unions

• International Brotherhood of Teamsters joint council 7^[28]

Newspapers

• The Fresno Bee^[29]

Vince Fong (R)

Executive branch officials

• Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States (2017–2021)^[30]

U.S. representatives

• Ken Calvert, U.S. representative from California's 41st congressional district (1993–present)^[31]
• John Duarte, U.S. representative from California's 13th congressional district (2023–present)^[31]
• Darrell Issa, U.S. representative from California's 48th congressional district (2001–2019, 2021–present)^[31]
• Mike Johnson, U.S. representative from LA-4 (2017–present) and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (2023–present)^[32]
• Kevin Kiley, U.S. representative from California's 3rd congressional district (2023–present)^[31]
• Young Kim, U.S. representative from California's 40th congressional district (2021–present)^[31]
• Doug LaMalfa, U.S. representative from California's 1st congressional district (2015–present)^[31]
• Kevin McCarthy, U.S. representative from California's 20th congressional district (2007–2023) and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (2023)^[33]
• Tom McClintock, U.S. representative from California's 5th congressional district (2009–present)^[31]
• Jay Obernolte, U.S. representative from California's 8th congressional district (2021–present)^[31]
• Michelle Steel, U.S. representative from California's 45th congressional district (2021–present)^[31]

Local officials

• Karen Goh, Mayor of Bakersfield (2017–present)^[34]

Organizations

• California Rifle and Pistol Association (co-endorsement with Boudreaux)^[27]
• Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association^[35]
• National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund^[36]
• Susan B. Anthony List^[37]

Labor unions

• National Border Patrol Council^[38]

Marisa Wood (D)

Individuals

• John Burrows, spokesman for Fresno city councilor Nelson Esparza and former candidate for this seat in the 2024 general election^[18]

Debate

2024 California's 20th congressional district special election primary debate

No.	Date	Host	Moderator	Link	Republican	Republican	Democratic	Democratic
Key:  P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Not invited   I  Invited  W  Withdrawn
					Mike Boudreaux	Vince Fong	Andy Morales	Marisa Wood
1[39]	Feb. 22, 2024	KGET KGPE	Brian Dorman Jim Scott	YouTube	P	P	P	P

Results

2024 California's 20th congressional district primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Vince Fong	51,194	42.3
	Republican	Mike Boudreaux	31,202	25.8
	Democratic	Marisa Wood	27,337	22.6
	Republican	Kyle Kirkland	5,941	4.9
	Democratic	Harmesh Kumar	2,885	2.4
	No party preference	Ben Dewell	1,074	0.9
	No party preference	David Fluhart	878	0.7
	No party preference	James Cardoza	298	0.2
	Republican	Anna Cohen	289	0.2
Total votes			121,098	100.0

By county

County Vince Fong Republican Mike Boudreaux Republican Marisa Wood Democratic Kyle Kirkland Republican Harmesh Kumar Democratic Ben Dewell Independent David Fluhart Independent James Cardoza Independent Anna Cohen Republican Margin Total votes # % # % # % # % # % # % # % # % # % # % Fresno 12,137 34.33 8,927 25.25 8,833 24.98 3,172 8.97 1,371 3.88 473 1.34 234 0.66 123 0.35 85 0.24 23,218 28.79 35,355 Kern 33,430 55.42 13,004 21.56 10,007 16.59 1,645 2.73 1,045 1.73 491 0.81 446 0.74 159 0.26 95 0.16 26,892 33.47 60,322 Kings 2,315 29.10 3,083 38.75 1,676 21.07 512 6.44 129 1.62 52 0.65 33 0.41 31 0.39 26 0.33 4,774 26.26 7,857 Tulare 3,012 18.66 8,407 52.08 3,569 22.11 567 3.51 318 1.97 95 0.59 110 0.68 45 0.28 18 0.11 7,734 25.03 16,141 Total 51,194 42.3 31,202 25.8 27,337 22.6 5,941 4.9 2,885 2.4 1,074 0.9 878 0.7 298 0.2 289 0.2 19,992 16.5 121,098

General election

Endorsements

Mike Boudreaux (R)

U.S. executive branch officials

• Richard Grenell, Acting Director of National Intelligence (2020), U.S. Ambassador to Germany (2018–2020)^[24]

U.S. representatives

• Connie Conway, former U.S. representative from California's 22nd congressional district (2022–2023)^[22]

State legislators

• Shannon Grove, state senator for the 12th district (2018–present) and former senate minority leader (2019–2021)^[20]
• Devon Mathis, state assemblyman for the 33rd district (2014–present)^[22]
• Andy Vidak, former state senator for the 14th district (2013–2018)^[22]

Individuals

• Kash Patel, former Trump aide^[24]

Organizations

• California ProLife Council^[25]
• California Republican Assembly^[26]
• California Rifle and Pistol Association (co-endorsement with Fong)^[27]

Labor unions

• International Brotherhood of Teamsters joint council 7^[28]

Newspapers

• The Fresno Bee^[29]

Vince Fong (R)

Executive branch officials

• Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States (2017–2021)^[30]

U.S. representatives

• Ken Calvert, U.S. representative from California's 41st congressional district (1993–present)^[31]
• John Duarte, U.S. representative from California's 13th congressional district (2023–present)^[31]
• Darrell Issa, U.S. representative from California's 48th congressional district (2001–2019, 2021–present)^[31]
• Mike Johnson, U.S. representative from LA-4 (2017–present) and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (2023–present)^[32]
• Kevin Kiley, U.S. representative from California's 3rd congressional district (2023–present)^[31]
• Young Kim, U.S. representative from California's 40th congressional district (2021–present)^[31]
• Doug LaMalfa, U.S. representative from California's 1st congressional district (2015–present)^[31]
• Kevin McCarthy, U.S. representative from California's 20th congressional district (2007–2023) and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (2023)^[40]
• Tom McClintock, U.S. representative from California's 5th congressional district (2009–present)^[31]
• Jay Obernolte, U.S. representative from California's 8th congressional district (2021–present)^[31]
• Michelle Steel, U.S. representative from California's 45th congressional district (2021–present)^[31]

Local officials

• Karen Goh, Mayor of Bakersfield (2017–present)^[34]

Organizations

• California Rifle and Pistol Association (co-endorsement with Boudreaux)^[27]
• Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association^[41]
• National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund^[36]

Labor unions

• National Border Patrol Council^[38]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[lower-alpha 3]	Margin of error	Mike Boudreaux (R)	Vince Fong (R)	Undecided
WPA Intelligence[upper-alpha 1]	April 1–3, 2024	400 (LV)	± 4.9%	30%	46%	24%

Results

2024 California's 20th congressional district special election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Vince Fong	50,643	60.58
	Republican	Mike Boudreaux	32,952	39.42
Total votes			83,595	100.00

By county
County Vince Fong Republican Mike Boudreaux Republican Margin Total votes # % # % # % Fresno 12,328 55.44 9,909 44.56 2,419 10.88 22,237 Kern 31,774 73.21 11,626 26.79 20,148 46.42 43,400 Kings 2,412 50.00 2,412 50.00 0 0.00 4,824 Tulare 4,129 31.44 9,005 68.56 4,876 37.12 13,134 Total 50,643 60.58 32,952 39.42 17,680 21.16 83,595

See also

• 2024 United States House of Representatives elections
• 118th United States Congress
• List of special elections to the United States House of Representatives

Notes

1. Numbered as the 21st district prior to the 2010 redistricting cycle and as the 22nd district from then until the 2020 redistricting cycle.
2. Numbered as the 19th district prior to the 2020 redistricting cycle.
3. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear

1. Poll sponsored by Fong's campaign

References

1. Karni, Annie (December 6, 2023). "McCarthy says he will leave Congress at the end of the year". The New York Times. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
2. Blood, Michael (May 21, 2024). "California lawmaker Vince Fong wins special election to finish ousted House Speaker McCarthy's term". Associated Press. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
3. "Sheriff Mike Boudreaux suspends congressional campaign for Kevin McCarthy's former office". Los Angeles Times. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
4. McCarthy, Kevin (December 6, 2023). "I'm Leaving the House but Not the Fight". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
5. Zanona, Melanie (December 6, 2023). "Kevin McCarthy to leave Congress at the end of this year". CNN. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
6. Nelson, Laura J. (December 15, 2023). "California elections officials say Assemblymember Vince Fong can't run for Congress in Bakersfield". Los Angeles Times.
7. Robertsno, Nick (December 16, 2023). "McCarthy mentee Vince Fong determined ineligible for congressional candidacy". The Hill.
8. Mason, Melanie (December 28, 2023). "McCarthy protege can run for Congress after court win". Politico.
9. Hatch, Jenavieve. "Southern California Democrat introduces bill in 'direct response' to Vince Fong congressional run". The Sacramento Bee.
10. Gligich, Daniel (January 11, 2024). "Weber files notice of appeal to remove Fong from ballot". The San Joaquin Valley Sun.
11. Brassil, Gillian (January 24, 2024). "California secretary of state asks court to remove Vince Fong as congressional candidate". The Fresno Bee.
12. McAndrew, Dom (December 13, 2023). "Tulare County Sheriff announces congressional campaign for McCarthy seat". KGET-TV. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
13. Mason, Melanie (December 28, 2023). "McCarthy protege can run for Congress after court win". POLITICO. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
14. "CANDIDATES FOR MARCH 19, 2024, SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION" (PDF). California Secretary of State's Office. January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
15. Daniel Gligich (December 12, 2023). "Kyle Kirkland, Matt Stoll pull papers to run succeed McCarthy". San Joaquin Valley Sun. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
16. "Mathis won't run in special election for Congress". Porterville Recorder. December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
17. Taub, David (November 30, 2023). "If McCarthy Bails From Congress, These Are the GOP Prospects for His Seat". GV Wire. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
18. Gligich, Daniel (December 13, 2023). "Democrat John Burrows leaves race to succeed Kevin McCarthy". Retrieved December 13, 2023.
19. Garcia, Luis (December 11, 2023). "Grove out, Fong in: Assemblyman Vince Fong to run for Congress after all". KGET-TV. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
20. Donegan, John (February 14, 2024). "Kern sheriff and state senator pick Boudreaux over Fong for 20th Congressional District". The Bakersfield Californian. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
21. Gligich, Daniel (December 8, 2023). "Fong, Mathis bow out of sweepstakes to succeed McCarthy". The San Joaquin Valley Sun. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
22. Gligich, Daniel (January 3, 2024). "Boudreaux, Fong kick off endorsement scramble in McCarthy sweepstakes". The San Joaquin Valley Sun. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
23. "McCarthy's exiting Congress. Here's what would-be successors are saying". The San Joaquin Valley Sun. December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
24. "Ric Grenell, Kash Patel – Trump administration national security alumni – endorse Sheriff Mike Boudreaux for Congress". Valley Voice. January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
25. "2024 Voter Guides". californiaprolife.org. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
26. "2024 Primary Election - CRA Endorsements for Partisan and Nonpartisan Offices". California Republican Assembly. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
27. "CRPA PAC Endorsed Federal Candidates". CRPA. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
28. "2024 JC7 March Primary Endorsements". Teamsters Joint Council 7. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
29. "Eleven candidates want to replace Kevin McCarthy. Here is the best choice". The Fresno Bee. February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
30. "Former President Donald Trump endorses Vince Fong for California's 20th District seat". ABC30 Fresno. February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
31. "Fong endorsed by California Republican members of Congress". Ridgecrest Daily Independent. January 31, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
32. Gligich, Daniel (February 5, 2024). "Major endorsements come in for 20th Congressional District race". The San Joaquin Valley Sun. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
33. Mason, Melanie (December 12, 2023). "'A political dust storm in the Central Valley': McCarthy's succession is getting messy". Politico. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
34. "Election notebook: Fong is endorsed by Taft, Tehachapi, Ridgecrest and Bakersfield mayors". Tehachapi News. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
35. "Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association PAC Endorses Vince Fong for Congress". Ridgecrest Daily Independent. January 25, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
36. NRA-PVF. "NRA-PVF | Grades | California". NRA-PVF. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
37. "SBA Pro-Life America's Candidate Fund Endorses Vince Fong for U.S. House". SBA Pro-Life America. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
38. "Trump, Border Patrol endorse Fong". TaftMidwayDriller.com. February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
39. Donegan, John (February 22, 2024). "Candidates for California's 20th Congressional District seat face off in debate". The Bakersfield Californian. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
40. Mason, Melanie (December 12, 2023). "'A political dust storm in the Central Valley': McCarthy's succession is getting messy". Politico. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
41. "Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association PAC Endorses Vince Fong for Congress". Ridgecrest Daily Independent. January 25, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.