Vince Fong, a California State Assembly member endorsed by President Trump, triumphed in a special election on Tuesday to serve the remaining term of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, which extends through January.
Fong, a protégé of McCarthy and also supported by the former speaker, defeated fellow Republican and Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux in the 20th Congressional District, located in California’s Central Valley farm belt.
Due to Trump's involvement, this race is seen as a potential indicator of his influence in California as he gears up for a likely rematch against Joe Biden in November. Trump endorsed Fong in February, describing him as “a true Republican.”
It remains uncertain when Fong will be sworn in, as the decision is up to current House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Republicans currently hold only 11 of California's 52 U.S. House seats. With McCarthy's former district remaining under GOP control, this will increase the Republican representation to 12 seats in the state delegation and bolster the party's slim majority in Congress by one vote.
The House currently comprises 217 Republicans, 213 Democrats, and five vacancies, including McCarthy’s former seat. The special election only fills the remainder of McCarthy’s term. Fong and Boudreaux are set to face off again in November for a full two-year term in the district, with the special election winner gaining the advantage of incumbency.
