FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2023

Secretary of State Announces Determination on California’s 20^th Congressional District

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Secretary of State’s Office confirmed today that state law prohibits Assemblymember Vince Fong (D-Bakersfield) from running as a candidate for the 20th Congressional District of California because he had previously filed paperwork to run for reelection to the California State Assembly.

Under state law, a candidate who has filed their declaration of candidacy is not permitted to withdraw as a candidate at that primary election. Mr. Fong filed his completed nomination documents for Assembly District 32 prior to the close of the December 8, 2023 filing deadline. Mr. Fong then submitted completed nomination documents for Congressional District 20 during the 5-day extension period triggered by the incumbent’s decision not to seek re-election. State law prohibits any candidate from filing nomination papers for more than one office at the same election.

As such, the Secretary of State’s office has determined that Mr. Fong’s filed nomination papers for Congressional District 20 were improperly submitted. Mr. Fong will not appear on the list of certified candidates for Congressional District 20 that our office will transmit to county election officials on candidates on December 28.

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Contact: SOS Press Office
sospress@sos.ca.gov