The special election to replace former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is heading to a runoff after none of the candidates secured the necessary 50% threshold on Tuesday.
Despite being considered the frontrunner, California Republican Assemblyman Vince Fong fell short of securing enough votes to overcome challenges from Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux and Democrat Marisa Wood.
Now, Fong and Boudreaux, both Republicans, will face each other in the May 21 runoff election to occupy McCarthy’s former seat for the remainder of his term. Fong garnered 42% of the votes, while Boudreaux captured 24%, as reported by the Associated Press with 98% of the votes tallied.
With the runoff election, House Speaker Mike Johnson will not immediately gain an additional Republican vote, as the House remains finely balanced with a narrow 219-213 Republican majority.
McCarthy has been a longtime supporter of Fong’s congressional candidacy, given their established alliance.
Despite not securing Trump’s endorsement, Boudreaux has chosen to feature ads depicting him shaking hands with the former president.
