to ‘Replace’ McCarthy, Newsom Sets Date for Special Election

Paresh Jadhav

12 months ago

Newsom announced that a special election to fill McCarthy’s remaining term would take place two weeks after March 5, California primary. This should reduce voter confusion while giving county election offices plenty of time to process vote-by-mail ballots.

Republican Assemblymember Vince Fong has already announced he will run, and Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux and businessman David Giglio may follow in his footsteps and consider entering. This race will take place in Bakersfield’s 20th Congressional District – an area known for being solidly Republican.

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March 19 Primary

Dozens of candidates bundled against frigid temperatures gathered outside the state election authority in a strip mall Monday to file petitions for the March 19 primary. Each was hoping for a spot on the ballot in order to complete former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s two-year term in Congress.

Newsom chose to hold the primary at a later date rather than consolidating it with California’s March 5 presidential primary due to requests from county officials in Bakersfield-area districts who feared voter confusion and extra costs for voter rolls that have to be processed separately.

The results of the primary will help determine the number of delegates each party will send to its national conventions, where official presidential nominees will be chosen. Voters will ultimately decide this outcome during November general elections – VoterView provides access to polling locations.

May 21 Runoff

California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation Monday setting May 21 as the date for a special election to fill out Congressional District 20. After a March 19 primary, two of the top vote-getters will advance to compete for Speaker Emeritus Kevin McCarthy’s seat after being ousted from Congress by fellow Republicans last December in a dramatic turn that marked a historic change.

At the request of county registrars concerned about voter confusion and extra costs, Governor Newsom decided to hold both primary and special elections separately. Republican Assemblymember Vince Fong quickly announced his intention to run for this seat.

Candidate’s must file their Declaration of Candidacy online with a $50 filing fee or submit petition signatures using Candidate Signature Sheets (SEL 121). Click here for more details.

Candidates Announced

Newsom’s team is already organizing candidates to run for McCarthy’s 20th District seat. Assemblymember Vince Fong represents it in central valley. Assemblymember Fong may run both for special election and primary in March alongside Tulare County sheriff Mike Boudreaux and businessman David Giglio.

Democratic hopefuls seeking the nomination have given Newsom their backing, noting his national profile by going after his GOP rivals – most notably engaging Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Fox News for an extended debate – and attacking them publicly. Yet some claim this only boosts his own chances by targeting Republican voters rather than nurturing Democratic support within his base.

Newsom has prioritized combatting poverty and climate change, protecting women and minorities’ rights, and strengthening state democracy. He’s advocated for accountability measures throughout government; supported workplace protections like hotlines for victims, transparency investigations, independent inquiries, real consequences against abusers; reform gun laws and an assault weapons ban; as well as reform gun laws with an assault weapons ban.

Counting

The recall election has been set for Sept. 14 — two weeks after California’s presidential primary and less than one year before the 2024 general election. This early timing reduces any risk that natural disaster or another COVID-19 outbreak might jeopardize Newsom’s approval ratings.

Election 2018 will decide who will complete former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s term in California’s 20th District. A special primary will take place on March 19, and those receiving the most votes will advance to a runoff election scheduled for May 21.

As Californians struggle with wildfires, homelessness and high taxes, their recall campaign will likely center around Governor Brown’s performance in these areas; and voters’ anger about state coronavirus orders which closed schools and businesses will only add fuel. It will also test an electorate which historically leans more Democratic than Republican.