In the special election held on Tuesday, voters in California's 20th Congressional District chose Republican Vince Fong as their new representative. Fong, a state assemblyman endorsed by former Rep. Kevin McCarthy and former President Donald Trump, emerged as the winner in a race that included fellow Republican Mike Boudreaux, the Tulare County sheriff.

The Associated Press declared Fong as the winner at 8:17 p.m. Fong's victory means that he will complete the remainder of McCarthy's term, which concludes in January. The 20th Congressional District is a sprawling agricultural area that encompasses Kern, Tulare, Kings, and Fresno counties.

Expressing his gratitude and humility, Fong stated in a prepared statement that he is ready to begin the real work for the community. In Congress, he intends to prioritize crucial issues such as border security, small business support, investment in water storage and infrastructure, expansion of the energy industry, and ensuring the safety of the United States in the face of security threats.

The 44-year-old Fong has a history of working with McCarthy, having started his career under McCarthy's predecessor, Bill Thomas. Fong later served as McCarthy's district director before winning a seat in the State Assembly in 2016.

Boudreaux, the Tulare County sheriff, graciously conceded and congratulated Fong on his victory. Boudreaux expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community and vowed to continue working for a better Valley.

Both Fong and Boudreaux will face each other again in November when voters will choose a representative for a full two-year term in Congress. Fong, as the incumbent, is expected to have an advantage in the upcoming election.

Although McCarthy himself was not on the ballot, his influence played a significant role in boosting Fong's campaign. McCarthy utilized his political connections and fundraising abilities to support his preferred successor. Fong emerged as the frontrunner during the March primary, raising three times more campaign funds than Boudreaux. He also received support from the political action committee Central Valley Values, which garnered donations from McCarthy's Majority Committee PAC and a new PAC funded by prominent Republican donors, including Barbara Grimm-Marshall of Grimmway Farms.

Fong's endorsement by former President Donald Trump in March further bolstered his campaign. This endorsement was seen as a strategic move orchestrated by McCarthy to win over right-wing Republicans who may have been skeptical of the political establishment.

With the special election now concluded, the focus shifts to Fong's future responsibilities as the representative of California's 20th Congressional District. Voters will eagerly await the results of the upcoming November election, where Fong and Boudreaux will once again vie for a congressional seat.