In less than two months, voters in California's 17th District (San Joaquin Valley) will choose between two conservative Republicans to succeed former Rep. and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Under the Golden State's unique "jungle primary" system, Assemblyman Vince Fong and Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux will square off on May 21st and the winner will be immediately sworn in to serve the remainder of McCarthy's term.
The two will square off again in the November election for a new two-year term.
Fong, 44, has long been considered the heir-apparent to McCarthy, in whose district office he worked for 10 years, rising to be district director and then winning his Assembly seat in 2016. With his role at McCarthy's side sometimes likened to that of Cardinal Ratzinger working closely with Pope John Paul II before succeeding him, Fong has the strong endorsements of McCarthy and former President Donald Trump.
But no one is calling a Fong victory May 21 a cinch. His five-star endorsements notwithstanding, Fong drew 40% in the initial contest and Boudreaux 26% — thus necessitating the May runoff.
Boudreaux, 57, has run a strong campaign emphasizing his background in law enforcement (his father was a detective) and his tough law and order agenda. He has been endorsed by David Giglio, who dropped out of the race last month, and conservative State Sen. Shannon Grove, who had considered and then abandoned plans to run for Congress herself.
Ric Grenell, Trump's ambassador to Germany and director of national intelligence, has also weighed in for Boudreaux over Fong.
"It's hard to imagine Fong losing," said one top California Republican who requested anonymity. "He will have a lot of money and the endorsements of Trump and McCarthy mean a lot. But you never know."
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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