The upcoming special election, set to fill the seat vacated by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, is shaping up to be a crucial contest between Republicans Vince Fong and Mike Boudreaux.

The winner of this May runoff will gain a significant edge in the subsequent general election round.

The autumn season will see Fong and Boudreaux, potentially as incumbent members of Congress, leveraging their positions to secure a substantial advantage come November.

According to Politico, Fong, a state legislator and former employee of McCarthy, has emerged as a strong contender. His campaign has been bolstered by endorsements from McCarthy, former President Donald Trump, and several California GOP House members, leading to his top finishes in both the March primary and the special election with over 40 percent of the vote.

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Boudreaux, the Tulare County sheriff, has garnered local support and expressed skepticism of the Republican establishment that boosted the careers of both McCarthy and Fong. He managed to secure approximately a quarter of the vote in the March elections and could potentially increase his share in the May runoff by consolidating Republicans who did not back Fong.

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Following his defeat, GOP businessperson Kyle Kirkland has thrown his support behind Boudreaux. McCarthy's sudden resignation last December triggered a Republican rush to claim his Bakersfield-area seat, leading to a complex political reshuffle.

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An Associated Press report reveals that Trump endorsed Fong in February, while Boudreaux has the backing of former acting director of national intelligence Ric Grenell and Republican state Sen. Shannon Grove of Bakersfield.

Given Trump's involvement, the race is being closely monitored as a potential indicator of the former president's influence as he gears up for a likely showdown with President Joe Biden in November.

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McCarthy's unprecedented ousting from the House has resulted in a contentious race to succeed him, complete with an ongoing lawsuit and exposed rivalries within the GOP.

Currently, Republicans hold only 11 of the state's 52 House seats, including the one left vacant by McCarthy. This special election will determine who will complete McCarthy's remaining term.