The political landscape in California’s 32nd Assembly District is in flux after the former representative, Vince Fong, ascended to the Congress leaving a vacancy. A special election has been called by Governor Gavin Newsom to be held on April 29, aiming to fill this gap as well as in the 36th Senate District. The process with the primaries set to occur on Feb 25 will mark the beginning of a strategic battle for the open chairs.
Documentation from the office of the Secretary of State details that the nomination filings will initiate starting from Wednesday, with an open window from Dec. 19 to Jan. 2 to complete the process. This ensures an orderly and regulated race, thus allowing all candidates equal opportunity and time to file their nominations.
The 32nd district seat became open when Fong triumphantly rode a wave of popular support to secure election via a special election. This allowed him to replace the former House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy and occupy his Congressional term. This situation entered more complex waters as Fong had his candidacy filed for reelection in the Assembly, turning the race into a peculiar situation.
Despite the legal maze, Fong’s name was represented twice on the November ballot, appearing both for Assembly and Congress. Even as he declared openly that he would not accept the Assembly seat and publicly backed fellow Republican, Ken Weir, a Bakersfield City Councilman, he sailed through with commanding election victories for both seats.
Living up to his earlier promises, Fong refrained from accepting the Assembly seat earlier this month, despite winning it. This choice cemented the vacancy in the position, thus necessitating an election to fill the void left in his wake. His decision is an admirable sign of integrity, demonstrating the Republican values of fairness and respect for process.
In the unfolding political saga, only one brave contender, Stan Ellis, a promising businessman from Bakersfield, has thrown his hat in the ring. As a committed conservative Republican, Ellis plans to leverage the previous election results to pave his journey toward the Assembly. He patiently observed the electoral waters before deciding to declare his candidacy, waiting for a clear landscape to emerge.
Criticizing Sacramento’s Democrats and Governor Gavin Newsom, Ellis made his position clear. His statement lambasted the established powers, saying, ‘While Californians are suffering under the burden of sky-high gas prices and the highest cost of living, they’ve chosen to prioritize outlandish agendas over the welfare of hard laboring families.’
In the backdrop of this fiery declaration, Ellis announced his candidature and secured the endorsement of multiple political heavyweights. On the contrary, the Kern County Democratic Party is yet to have a party-endorsed candidate in line. Democratic presence in the district has been flagged as being potentially challenging due to the prevalent voter sentiment.
The 32nd District doesn’t sit solely within Kern County, it extends itself into Tulare County partially covering Visalia, and no Democrat appears to be rising to the challenge. The uncertain presence of potential Democratic candidates, or lack of them, oblivious to the fact that Kern county forms the most considerable voter base in the 32nd District, points to their lack of preparation or possible fear of approaching the battle.
The Kern County Republican Party, maintaining its composure in the heat of the upcoming elections, declined to comment about any potential candidate. Expressing neutrality thus far, they are ensuring to keep their opinions reserved for now, a testament to their calculated and strategic political ideologies.
The upcoming Feb. 25 special primary election holds a significant weightage, as an early decision could be made. Should any candidate secure over 50% of the votes, they would be declared the winner outright, eliminating the need for the April election.
The Election Division of Kern County provided procedural guidance, instructing candidates to pay a filing fee or obtain backing of 125 registered voters in the form of valid signatures. This allows them a chance to use signatures as a route for filing, which further enhances the democratic nature of the election process.
Governor Newsom’s declaration also necessitated another special election for the recently vacated 36th Senate District, further left in a void by a Democrat. Regardless of recent political changes in the state, the wheels of democracy continue to turn, providing an excellent opportunity for the Republicans to stake their claim and further their advantageous position.