Former President Donald Trump supports former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s selection to fill the vacated Congressional seat.
California Congressman Vince Fong, who served as Mr. McCarthy’s district director for nearly a decade, is one of nine candidates running for a House seat in the Central Valley to replace Mr. McCarthy.
One opponent, Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreau, has the backing of former Trump administration officials, including former acting director of national intelligence Richard Grenell and former chief deputy Kash Patel.
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“I am proud to join California’s Republican Congressional delegation and give Vince Fung my full and complete support!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. “Vince is one of only six Republicans in the state Legislature who agreed with me and rejected the second impeachment hoax. Vince will work with me in Congress to grow the economy and lower taxes. , cut burdensome regulations, defend American energy, and protect and protect the Second Amendment, which is under siege by the radical left.”
Congressman Vince Fong speaks during a press conference on June 16, 2023 in Santa Ana, California. (Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
Grenell and Patel endorsed Boudreau last month, describing him as an anti-establishment candidate and America’s First Choice. “Sheriff Mike Boudreau has proven himself to be an America First patriot and a principled fighter for freedom,” Grenell said, the Porterville Recorder reported at the time. . “California needs a leader with the courage to stand up to the bureaucrats in Washington. His track record proves he is the right choice for California.”
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“Sheriff Boudreau is the kind of leader we need in Congress, a leader who has the courage to stand up and fight, not back down, and who puts America first,” Patel said, according to the Recorder. Reported.
Former President Donald Trump participates in a town hall hosted by FOX News on February 20, 2024 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Fox News)
Patel declined further comment when contacted by FOX News Digital on Wednesday. Grenell did not immediately respond.
Mr. McCarthy resigned from the House of Representatives on December 31, about three months after he was ousted as Speaker for the first time in history.
The district is a red district based in Bakersfield, and Fong’s Republican opponents are already fighting to appeal to Trump’s MAGA base.
Another of his opponents, Kyle Kirkland, is a business owner and nonprofit animal rescue operator who has tried to portray himself as an outsider. His website proudly declares that he is “not a career politician.”
Kyle Kirkland is the front-runner in California’s 20th District special election after the seat was vacated by Kevin McCarthy, who resigned after being ousted as Speaker of the House in December. (Congressman Kirkland)
Mr. Trump’s endorsement of Mr. Fung is likely to give him a boost from voters who may have been wary of Mr. Fong’s long-standing ties to the Republican establishment. “Thank you for your support! As we work to secure our borders, improve our economy, and protect our water and energy resources,” Fung wrote on Platform X, formerly known as Twitter, shortly after the former president’s announcement. Sho!” he wrote.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Fung for further comment.
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An election to replace Mr. McCarthy is scheduled for May 21. Before that, the nine candidates will be narrowed down to two in the March 19 primary.
California’s election law mandates a single “jungle primary” in which the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation, rather than holding party-specific primaries to nominate general candidates. ing.
Mr. McCarthy is widely seen as an establishment Republican who worked to be a staunch ally of Mr. Trump.
Shortly before a group of eight Republican hardliners joined all House Democrats in voting to expel McCarthy, McCarthy asked Truth Social, “Why are Republicans always fighting within their own party?” wrote.
