
In a recent legal victory, California Assemblymember Vince Fong has been granted permission to proceed with his candidacy for the congressional seat soon to be vacated by Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). Superior Court Judge Shelleyanne W.L. Chang ruled against the argument presented by California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, who contended that Fong’s candidacy violated state election code.
Chang’s decision marks the end of a tumultuous start to the race for McCarthy’s successor, with the former House speaker set to retire at the end of the month. Fong, a former district director for McCarthy, had already filed for reelection to his Assembly seat before opting to run for Congress. The unexpected withdrawal of state Sen. Shannon Grove, considered a strong potential contender, led Fong to change his plans. However, the deadline for withdrawing from the Assembly ballot had passed.
Fong’s legal team argued that state law did not explicitly prohibit a candidate from running for both Congress and the state legislature simultaneously. The judge’s ruling sided with Fong, emphasizing that the statute cited by Weber was inapplicable to him.
Fong expressed gratitude for the ruling, stating, “Today’s ruling is a victory for the voters of the 20th Congressional District, who will now have the opportunity to select the candidate of their choice in the March 5th election.” He further praised the decision for upholding the integrity of elections and standing against what he characterized as an overreach by a Sacramento politician.
Despite the favorable outcome for Fong, the judge voiced concerns about potential voter confusion and disenfranchisement if Fong were to be elected to both offices but did not retain one. Chang acknowledged that the decision might seem counterintuitive, allowing a candidate to run for two offices during the same election.
The ruling came just minutes before the deadline for the Secretary of State to release the list of certified candidates for the 20th congressional district. Fong, endorsed by McCarthy, is considered a front-runner due to his established profile in the district and his connection to the former speaker’s political network.
However, the uncertainty surrounding Fong’s eligibility prompted other contenders to enter the race for the solidly Republican district, including Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, Fresno casino-owner Kyle Kirkland, and far-right challenger David Giglio.
The legal decision adds an interesting dimension to the upcoming congressional race in California’s 20th district, where multiple candidates are vying for the opportunity to succeed Rep. Kevin McCarthy.
COMMENTS