Oral arguments set for Vince Fong’s eligibility to remain on ballot for November congressional race

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A hearing is set Thursday for whether Assemblymember Vince Fong is eligible to stay on the ballot for Congress this November.

Oral arguments are set to begin Thursday afternoon in a court of appeals in Sacramento.

Vince Fong was the top vote-getter in the March 5 primary to replace former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. The hearing is over whether or not Fong should have been allowed to be on the ballot at all, after he filed for reelection to his seat in the Assembly.

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In December, Secretary of State Shirley Weber’s office determined that Fong was ineligible because California law prohibited any candidate from running for two offices. That decision was overturned by a judge allowing Fong to appear on ballots for the 32nd Assembly District and for the 20th Congressional District race. Thursday’s arguments are to overturn the Sacramento Superior Court’s ruling.

For now, Fong will face fellow Republican Mike Boudreaux in the November election for a full two-year term for the 20th Congressional District.

Fong remains eligible for a May 21 special runoff election against Boudreaux to complete Kevin McCarthy’s term.

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