Overview
- State Assemblyman Vince Fong, endorsed by both McCarthy and Trump, failed to secure the 50% needed to win outright, leading to a May 21 runoff.
- Fong, Republican Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, and Democrat Marisa Wood are the top contenders in the heavily Republican-leaning district.
- The special election's outcome is a bellwether for Trump's influence as he eyes a rematch against President Biden.
- McCarthy's resignation after being ousted as Speaker has left the GOP with a slim majority in the House, highlighting internal divisions.
- The district, spanning the Central Valley farm belt, is the most strongly Republican House seat in heavily Democratic California.