BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — On the Friday after the Nov. 5 general presidential election, and the Kern Elections Division released another batch of results.
In the race for California’s 20th Congressional District, former Bakersfield Assemblyman and now Congressman Vince Fong has a commanding lead over Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux.
The sheriff technically dropped out of this race after losing the special election to fill the remainder of Kevin McCarthy’s term, though his name stayed on the ballot.
But here’s where the results start to cause some rather unique problems.
Vince Fong is also winning in the 32nd Assembly District race against Bakersfield City Councilman Ken Weir.
For Kern voters, this could all mean yet another special election. Fong has repeatedly said he’s running only for Congress. It all goes back to Kevin McCarthy’s sudden resignation.
Fong — back when he was an assemblymember — first declared re-election to the state Assembly. Then, McCarthy left Congress midterm, and Fong stepped into the race to replace McCarthy. And so began a monthslong lawsuit with California’s Secretary of State on whether Fong could run for two offices at once.
Fong won the lawsuit, saying he’s running only for Congress, though his name remained on the ballot for both seats.
If Fong wins AD-32 and CD-20, he’ll have to resign from the Assembly, which creates a vacancy, meaning a special election for AD-32.
There’s a lot of talk as to who the candidates will be.
Will the Kern GOP rally behind Bakersfield City Councilman Ken Weir again? Kern GOP leader Cathy Abernathy told 17 News it’s still uncertain if Weir will eye the seat again. Weir did not respond to 17 News’ request for comment.
Meanwhile, Kern businessman and former state Assembly candidate Stan Ellis has finalized his candidacy. Ellis told 17 News if a special election is confirmed, he will run.
Ellis most recently filed to run to succeed Kevin McCarthy in Congress but dropped out and endorsed Vince Fong once Fong stepped in.
2024 US House, California Assembly, Proposition election results
As for the logistics of the 2025 special election itself, the Secretary of State’s office told 17 News Friday the cost is still to be determined, though the AD-32 counties of Kern and Tulare must cover the expenses. They also stated the timing of the election will depend on when the vacancy occurs. A legislative law expert explained once the election results are certified, the AD-32 seat will be declared vacant.
All statewide special elections are called by the Governor.
According to government code, when a vacancy in a congressional or legislative office occurs, the Governor issues a proclamation within 14 calendar days of the vacancy calling for a special election.
We’ll continue to track this story, as well as election results.