Assemblyman Vince Fong on the Ballot to Succeed McCarthy, Appeals Planned
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Assemblyman Vince Fong (R-32) has secured his spot on the ballot for re-election to State Assembly District 32 and California’s 20th District in the United States House of Representatives, after a ruling by Sacramento Superior Court Judge Shelleyanne W.L. Chang.
The court found that the elections code language used by the Secretary of State’s Office to block Fong from the ballot was not properly interpreted. Judge Chang stated that the relevant section of the code only applies to the independent nomination of candidates and does not bar Fong from running in the primary election for CD-20.
Should Fong win both races, it is expected that he will resign from the Assembly. However, Fong’s attorney Brian Hildreth argued that serving in two offices is not prohibited based on the lack of previous court decisions on the matter. Hildreth pointed out that there is an example of a California man, former Democratic Representative Joseph Walker McCorkle, who served concurrently in both the United States House of Representatives and the California State Assembly in the mid 19th century.
While Fong celebrates his eligibility, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D) has announced plans to appeal the ruling. Secretary Weber expressed strong disagreement with the court’s decision and emphasized the importance of protecting voters and ensuring confidence in future elections.
Fong’s opponent, David Giglio (R), has also vowed to challenge the ruling. Giglio’s legal team intends to work with Secretary Weber’s office to eliminate Fong from the CA-20 race. Giglio, who is endorsed by 2020 U.S. Presidential Election-deniers Roger Stone and Michael Flynn, stated that they are preparing to file a motion to join the Secretary of State in the appeals process.
As it stands, Vince Fong’s name will appear on the ballot for the March 5, 2024, primary election in both the Assembly and Congressional races. It remains to be seen how the appeals will progress and whether Fong’s eligibility will be sustained.
With these developments, California’s political landscape is facing uncertainty as the legal battle over Fong’s eligibility intensifies. The outcome of the appeals could have significant implications for both Fong’s political aspirations and the voters of California’s 20th District.
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