Vince Fong Resigns From Assembly to Serve Remainder Of Kevin McCarthy’s Term D.C.

Assemblyman Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) resigned from office this past weekend in order to serve the remainder of former Speaker and Congressman Kevin McCarthy’s term in Congress in Washington.

For months, Fong faced numerous political and legal challenges over running for the special election. As he had gotten his name on the special election ballot late, Fong was listed for both Congress and the Assembly at the same time. Secretary of State Shirley Weber argued that this was against state law. However, Fong kept winning in court to stay on both ballots. This included a Sacramento Superior Court ruling in December and an Appeals court ruling last month. Meanwhile, Fong easily came in first in the run-off election in March, and stood to face Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux (R) in the special election come May.

This month, everything came together for Fong. Weber, with no legal recourse remaining, ended her pursuit of Fong early in May. Then, last week, Fong beat Boudreaux in the special election with over 60% of the total vote. Needing to fill the seat fast, Fong took quick action, announcing his resignation from the Assembly during the weekend, his final day being Friday the 24th.

“Together, we have fought for common sense policies to curb the high cost of living, rein in state spending to protect precious tax dollars and demand transparency from our state government,” said Fong in his resignation letter. “It is your voice that needs to continue to be heard to make California a better place to live and work.”

“As I continue to serve you in Washington, DC as your congressman, please know that the Assembly office will be staffed to help you navigate state agencies and departments.”

“Today is my last day in the Assembly,” Fong added on X. “I will be heading to DC to be a strong voice for residents of the Central Valley in the coming weeks. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve them in the State Capitol. Below is my letter of gratitude to them.”

Today is my last day in the Assembly. I will be heading to DC to be a strong voice for residents of the Central Valley in the coming weeks. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve them in the State Capitol. Below is my letter of gratitude to them. pic.twitter.com/5efM2lgIUY

— Assemblyman Vince Fong (@AsmVinceFong) May 25, 2024

While Fong is set for Washington, the shakeup of top political positions in the lower Central Valley continues. This November, Fong will face Boudreaux once again for the full two-year term, albeit as incumbent this time. Meanwhile his Assembly seat will now be largely unopposed by Bakersfield City Councilman and Kern County GOP Chairman Ken Weir. Weir has the backing of not only Fong, but McCarthy and Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) as well, making his election all but a formality. Unless something major occurs, the McCarthy/Fong Congress and Assembly representation of the area will transition to Fong/Weir.

“Oh yeah, this is cycling as normal out here,” said Central Valley pollster Oscar Salazar to the Globe on Monday. “The only big thing to happen was when Grove declined to run for McCarthy’s seat, essentially throwing it to either Fong or Boudreaux. And as you saw, Weber pounced on that Fong situation to try and make a big deal about him running in two races.”

“But this is a Republican stronghold still, and you can tell by the primary elections always sliding toward GOP candidates. Democrats didn’t even make it past the primary. In 2022 Grove actually faced a Democrat in the Senate race and, despite people here being worried about people coming from LA and changing politics, she won with a nearly 70% of the vote.”

“Fong resigned, but the GOP is still the wall here.”

Fong is expected to be in Washington soon and will serve the remainder of McCarthy’s term through January 2025.