How did Democrats perform in the CD-20 races for both partial and full House terms?

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — With two Republican candidates likely advancing in both races to replace former Bakersfield Congressman Kevin McCarthy in the House, what options face Democratic voters?

17 News spoke with leading Democratic candidate Marisa Wood about her 2024 campaign, as well as the future of her supporters.

Andy Morales, the other Democrat in the CD-20 race for a full two-year term, could not be reached for comment ever since the March 5 presidential primary. 17 News has reached out to the candidate multiple times but has not heard back.

2024 California primary election results

“I believe and I hope I inspired other Democrats to stand up. It doesn’t have to be a Republican-only district,” Marisa Wood said, reflecting on her second run for the 20th Congressional District.

During the 2022 midterm election, Wood ran directly against McCarthy, finishing second in both the primary and general elections.

Wood acknowledged things looked a bit different this time around — she was not the sole competitive Democratic challenger.

Gen Z candidate, 25-year-old Andy Morales was one of the first to launch his congressional campaign, back in January 2023. His entire campaign was grounded on “Let’s take down Kevin McCarthy.”

Districtwide results as of Friday afternoon show had Morales’ votes (4,311) gone to fellow Democrat Marisa Wood (33,079), Wood would be just a few votes away from second place Mike Boudreaux, a Republican candidate from Tulare County.

Wood sits in third in both the March 5 primary and the March 19 special election races.

The AP has projected Republicans Boudreaux and Assemblymember Vince Fong will advance as the top two vote getters in both CD-20 races, which would eliminate any likelihood of a Democrat holding the seat.

The 20th Congressional District is known as a safe Republican seat.

So, what was Andy Morales’ role? Was it to, perhaps, split the Democratic vote?

“One of the most at times frustrating, but beautiful things about democracy, especially as it relates to the United States House of Representatives is, anyone can run,” said Tal Eslick, a Central Valley political strategist who supports Vince Fong for Congress.

Some Democrats say they’re open to rescuing Speaker Johnson from ouster

Eslick added, “The who played spoiler? I think it’s folks’ kind of Monday morning quarterbacking in my opinion.”

17’s Jenny Huh: “What more do Democratic voters need to do in the 20th Congressional District?”

Marisa Wood: “Get out and vote. Get out and vote. There was a lot of voter apathy… The Democrats, maybe it was because they were resigned, were like ‘Why bother? Why bother? Bother.’ It’s your voice.”

That’s why Wood’s supporters showed up, with their votes.

“We shouldn’t be presuming that an election is gonna go towards a particular party because, let’s face it, there have been so many elections where it was presumed that this person was going to win and because the votes went for the other person because they showed up,” said voter Chris Holland.

Wood also had the support of those not yet old enough to vote.

“I think there are also people who you know may not typically vote because they’re afraid that their vote may not count,” said Carter Beardsley, regional director for California High School Democrats and junior at Frontier High School.

But Wood noted overall turnout was disappointing.

According to California’s Secretary of State, in the March 5, 2024, primary election, 33,079 voters voted for Wood (votes tallied as of Friday afternoon). And in the March 19, 2024, special election, 24,847 votes have gone to Wood so far.

Compare those numbers to the most recent election Wood has also participated in the 2022 midterms.

In the 2022 primary election, 33,511 votes went to Wood. In the 2022 general, 74,934 votes went to her.

Democratic enthusiasm is perhaps diminishing even more with two Republicans on the CD-20 tickets.

“I’ll do research, I’ll do my homework, but I would just, at the very least, I’ll just write somebody in that I know that I’m sorry this is somebody who I would support,” said Chris Holland.

But Wood nevertheless is pushing voters “to vote, to make an educated vote,” encouraging fellow Democrats to hold the GOP candidates accountable and learn about their stances on various issues.

While she’s voting, Wood said she will not endorse anybody.

She’s also not ruling out a 2026 run.

Greene files motion to oust Speaker Johnson

Of note are the political advertisements that circulated among the CD-20 campaigns.

The infamous elevating-your-candidate-of-choice tactic used in the U.S. Senate race by Democratic Adam Schiff against Republican Steve Garvey could be seen in this local race too.

Wood told 17 News that ahead of the March 19 special election, Democratic voters informed her they had received text messages from the Vince Fong campaign.

Pictures sent to 17 News show the texts reading in part: “This race is getting close with liberal Democrat Marisa Wood gaining ground. In Congress, Marisa will push radical policies like free healthcare for all and tuition free college. We can’t let that happen…”

Though the Fong campaign did not respond to a request for confirmation, the text messages read “Paid for by Vince Fong for Congress.”

Central Valley Values PAC, an outside group supporting Fong, spent nearly $100,000 in ads “opposing” Wood, again, attempting to elevate her to increase the likelihood of her facing off with Fong in the general election.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.