The Epoch Times
By Jill McLaughlin
‘Throughout his career, Vince has fought tirelessly to improve the quality of life in the Central Valley,’ Mr. McCarthy wrote in an endorsement letter.
Republican Assemblyman Vince Fong (R-Calif.) has entered the race to try and keep Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) seat in conservative hands, he announced on social media Dec. 11.
“It’s official,” Mr. Fong
posted on X, formerly Twitter, Monday night. “Just took the oath to run for Congress and I look forward to meeting everyone throughout the 20th Congressional District!”
Mr. McCarthy, whom Mr. Fong worked for as district director,
endorsed his former staffer to succeed him to represent the state’s Central Valley region.
“Throughout his career, Vince has fought tirelessly to improve the quality of life in the Central Valley,” Mr. McCarthy wrote in an endorsement letter distributed by Mr. Fong’s campaign Tuesday. “There is no one that I trust more to continue the fight for common-sense and conservative values in Washington DC. I am proud to endorse my friend Vince Fong for Congress.”
In an
op-ed published by the Wall Street Journal Dec. 6, Mr. McCarthy said he would leave his congressional seat at the end of the year, two months after becoming the first House speaker to be ousted from the role. He had served in California’s Central Valley for 17 years.
The district is almost guaranteed to favor a conservative candidate as one of California’s only remaining Republican-majority districts.
Some have speculated another strong Bakersfield Republican, Assemblywoman Shannon Grove, could also enter the race, making it competitive for the primary in March. The top two candidates, regardless of political party affiliation in the March 5 election, will move on to the November general election…
