Vince Fong

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Vince Fong
Vince Fong official congressional photograph 118th congress.jpg
Official portrait, 2024
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from California's 20th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 3, 2024
Education University of California, Los Angeles (BA)
Princeton University (MPA)
Website House website

Vincent Karchi Fong (born October 24, 1979) is an American politician who has served as the U.S. representative for California's 20th congressional district since 2024. A member of the Republican Party, he previously represented the California's 32nd State Assembly district, encompassing parts of the Central Valley. Prior to his election to the Assembly in 2016, Fong served as district director to then-Minority Leader and Congressman Kevin McCarthy.

Contents

Early life and education

Fong was born on October 24, 1979 in Bakersfield, California to Chinese immigrants. [1] As a child, Vince Fong struggled with a stutter and described himself as "probably scared to death to speak in front of a group of people, let alone a class." He credited his teachers and mentors with helping him recognize his potential and overcome his fear of public speaking. He attended West High School and went on to earn an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles. He later obtained a master’s degree in public affairs from Princeton University. [2]

Early political career

Fong began his career as an aide to Congressman Bill Thomas, the then-chair of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee. In this role, Fong focused on international trade policy, working to expand market access for U.S. farmers and small businesses. Fong then returned to Kern County to serve local residents, working nearly a decade as district director for Congressman Kevin McCarthy. He was actively involved in Kern County's community organizations and nonprofits, serving on the boards of Goodwill Industries of South Central California, the Jim Burke Education Foundation, and Honor Flight Kern County, supporting efforts to send WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit their memorials. Additionally, he has held an elected position on the Kern County Republican Central Committee and is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. [3]

California State Assembly

Fong's official portrait while in the California State Assembly. Vince Fong.jpg
Fong's official portrait while in the California State Assembly.

In September 2016, Fong announced his candidacy for the California State Assembly to succeed Assemblymember Shannon Grove in the 34th district, who was term-limited. [4] In the general election, Fong faced Perrin Swanlund, an 18-year-old who recently graduated from West High School, and won the election by a wide margin. [5] [6] He was re-elected in 2018, 2020, and 2022, with Fong being redistricted to the 32nd district in 2022. [7] While serving in the Assembly, Fong authored several notable bills, including one aimed at reducing catalytic converter theft, another promoting wildfire prevention through controlled grazing, and a measure to provide firearm training materials in multiple languages. His legislative work has largely focused on enhancing public safety and fostering economic growth. [8]

He resigned his Assembly seat on May 24, 2024, after winning the special election to the U.S. House of Representatives. [9] [10] Fong appeared on both ballots for the U.S. House and Assembly in the general election. [11] [12] For his Assembly seat, he endorsed Bakersfield City Councilor Ken Weir, who had secured a second-place spot in the primary via a write-in campaign, encouraging voters to select Weir over himself. Nevertheless, in the general election, Fong won over Weir. [13]

U.S. House of Representatives

Fong shaking hands with Speaker Mike Johnson after being sworn in Vince Fong and Mike Johnson (2024).jpg
Fong shaking hands with Speaker Mike Johnson after being sworn in

On December 6, 2023, U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthy, having been removed as Speaker of the House, announced his resignation from Congress effective December 31. A special election was scheduled for March 19, 2024, with a runoff on May 21, 2024. Initially declining to run, Fong later announced his candidacy for the seat, despite already filing for re-election in the Assembly. [14] [15] California Secretary of State Shirley Weber deemed Fong ineligible to run in the congressional election due to his existing qualification for re-election, as state law prohibits candidates from running for two offices simultaneously. Fong sued the state, and Superior Court Judge Shelleyanne W. L. Chang ruled in his favor, permitting him to run. [16] Weber appealed the decision, and Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo introduced a bill to prohibit dual candidacies. [17] In January 2024, Weber petitioned a state appeals court to overturn the ruling, while Assemblywoman Gail Pellerin introduced a similar bill to prevent candidates from filing for multiple offices in the same election. [18]

Fong advanced to the runoff in the special election against Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, another Republican, and ultimately won with a 60%-39% margin. [19] He was sworn in as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives by Speaker Mike Johnson on June 3, 2024. [20] In the general election, Boudreaux withdrew and endorsed Fong, who went on to win re-election to a full term in the U.S. House of Representatives. [21]

Committee assignments

Election history

Electoral history of Vince Fong
YearOfficePartyPrimaryGeneralResult Swing Ref.
Total %P.Total %P.
2016 State Assembly 32nd Republican 57,91560.32%1st123,95973.23%1stWonHold [22]
2018 Republican 65,32376.36%1st103,34670.59%1stWonHold [23]
2020 Republican 83,90971.61%1st146,61168.09%1stWonHold [24]
2022 Republican 77,776100.00%1st129,323100.00%1stWonHold [25]
2024 Republican 63,33782.38%1st74,60659.45%1stWonHold
2024 U.S. House 20th Republican 51,19442.28%1st50,64360.58%1stWonHold [26]
2024 Republican 66,16041.94%1st124,36764.9%1stWonHold [27]

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References

  1. ↑ Wang, Claire (June 29, 2024). "Kevin McCarthy's congressional replacement brings Asian representation to a deep-red California district". NBC News .
  2. ↑ Brassil, Gillian (February 22, 2024). "Vince Fong faces a legal hurdle in his run for Congress. Who is the Bakersfield Assemblyman endorsed by Trump?". The Fresno Bee .
  3. ↑ "CA-20: Vincent Fong (R)". The Well News. November 6, 2024.
  4. ↑ Douglas, Theo (January 6, 2016). "Vince Fong, longtime McCarthy aide, will seek Assembly seat". The Bakersfield Californian .
  5. ↑ "McCarthy, longtime aide Fong win legislative races easily". Bakersfield Now . November 9, 2016.
  6. ↑ Ferguson, Carol (June 2, 2016). "Four candidates run for 34th Assembly District". Bakersfield Now .
  7. ↑ Elliott, Claudia (February 26, 2022). "Tehachapi is part of new state districts — with familiar faces running". Tehachapi News .
  8. ↑ Taub, David (January 15, 2024). "What Are Congressional Candidate Vince Fong's Top Issues?". GV Wire.
  9. ↑ "Vince Fong resigns from CA Assembly following CA-20 special election win". BakesfieldNow . May 24, 2024.
  10. ↑ Franco, Jose (May 24, 2024). "Vince Fong resigns from Assembly after CD-20 special election victory". KGET .
  11. ↑ Nelson, Laura J. (April 10, 2024). "A California candidate will be on the ballot twice in November. What if he wins both races?". Los Angeles Times .
  12. ↑ Huh, Jenny (October 17, 2024). "Return of 'candidate chaos'? Why some voters may see Vince Fong twice on their ballot". KGET .
  13. ↑ Segall, Peter (November 6, 2024). "Fong wins two races. What's next?". The Bakersfield Californian .
  14. ↑ "Republican Vince Fong announces bid for McCarthy seat in California". The Hill . December 11, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Assemblyman Vince Fong makes U-turn, announces run for Kevin McCarthy's Congress seat". Fox26News . December 11, 2023.
  16. ↑ White, Jeremy B. (April 9, 2024). "California court allows McCarthy-successor-pick Vince Fong to run in 2 races". Politico .
  17. ↑ Bollag, Sophia (December 30, 2023). "Democrat seeks ban after judge lets California Republican run for 2 offices at once". San Francisco Chronicle .
  18. ↑ Brassil, Gillian (January 24, 2024). "California secretary of state asks court to remove Vince Fong as congressional candidate". The Fresno Bee .
  19. ↑ White, Jeremy B. (May 21, 2024). "McCarthy's pick Vince Fong wins special election to complete ex-speaker's term". Politico .
  20. ↑ Freking, Kevin (June 3, 2024). "California Republican takes oath of office to complete term of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy". Associated Press .
  21. ↑ Franco, Jose (November 5, 2024). "Vince Fong projected to win full term as 20th District representative in the House". KGET .
  22. ↑ "California District 34 State Assembly Results: Vince Fong Wins". The New York Times . August 1, 2017.
  23. ↑ "2018 California State Assembly Election Results". The Commercial Appeal . November 6, 2018.
  24. ↑ "2020 California State Assembly District 34 Election Results". The Desert Sun . November 3, 2020.
  25. ↑ "2022 California State Assembly Election Results". USA Today . June 7, 2022.
  26. ↑ "California 20th Congressional District Special Election Results". The New York Times . June 24, 2024.
  27. ↑ "California 20th Congressional District Election Results". The New York Times . November 6, 2024.
California Assembly
Preceded by Member of the California State Assembly
from the 34th district
2016–2022		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the California State Assembly
from the 32nd district
2022–2024		Vacant
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 20th congressional district
2024–present		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
426th		Succeeded by
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