Two California Republicans to square off twice this year to replace Kevin McCarthy in US House

California Assemblyman Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, and Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux will advance to a May 21 runoff in the special election to finish former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s term, The Associated Press predicted. McCarthy retired in December after having been removed as speaker.

The same two candidates will also compete in the Nov. 5 general election for a full term of their own. The AP said Tuesday that Fong, who is supported by Donald Trump and is McCarthy’s choice as well, would advance in the special election. “I am grateful that voters have once again chosen experienced, common-sense leadership to represent the Central Valley in Washington D.C.,” Fong said in a statement Wednesday morning.

On Friday, the AP predicted that Boudreaux would join Fong in May. “I am honored to continue making the case for a safer Valley in Congress rooted in real experience,” Boudreaux said in a statement Wednesday morning.

The two were the top two vote-getters in both the March 5 Super Tuesday general election primary and in the March 19 special election primary. In the March 19 primary, with 99% of the vote counted, Fong had 42.3% and Boudreaux had 25.8%. Third place went to Bakersfield teacher Marisa Wood, a Democrat, who had 22.6%, according to The Fresno Bee.

The winner of the May 21 runoff will be sworn in right away to complete McCarthy’s unfinished term, which ends in January 2025. The winner of the November general election will begin the new term, also in January 2025.

McCarthy, 59, retired in December after being removed as House speaker.

Fong, 44, served as McCarthy’s district director for nearly a decade before being elected to the California Assembly. Boudreaux, 56, has been Tulare County Sheriff for more than a decade, and is currently president of the California State Sheriffs’ Association.