Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy resigned from Congress last year. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Because of Trump’s involvement, the race will be watched as a bellwether for the former president’s viability as he heads toward a likely rematch against President Biden in November.
McCarthy’s dramatic fall in the House – he is the only speaker in history to be voted out of the job – left behind a messy race to succeed him that has included an ongoing lawsuit and exposed rivalries within the GOP. With nine names on the ballot, it appeared unlikely any candidate would surpass that threshold to claim the seat outright.
In California's jungle primary system, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election.
In the recent March 5 primary for the full 20th District term that begins in January, Fong and Boudreaux had already advanced to the November election in that contest. Tuesday's special election was meant to determine who will serve out the rest of McCarthy's term that ends at the start of next year.
Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux is running to fill McCarthy's House seat. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Trump endorsed Fong in February, calling him "a true Republican." Boudreaux’s supporters include Ric Grenell, a former acting director of national intelligence in the Trump administration, and Republican state Sen. Shannon Grove of Bakersfield, Fong’s home turf.
Fong and Boudreaux occupy much of the same policy terrain, and both are Trump-supporting conservatives.
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There is, however, an insider-outsider aspect to the race: Fong is McCarthy’s handpicked choice and a product of his political operation, while the sheriff is not.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/california-special-election-replace-mccarthy-heads-runoff-extending-house-gop-vacancy-2-months