TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KGET) — Wednesday morning brought major political developments in the race for the California’s 20th Congressional District, formerly held by Bakersfield’s Kevin McCarthy.
Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood and state Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) announced they will be endorsing Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux , not Kern County’s own Vince Fong , the current assemblymember.
“It was a shocker, a big surprise,” said Mark Salvaggio, a former Bakersfield City councilmember and long-time independent political observer. “No, we didn’t see it coming.”
The highly anticipated announcement, labeled by the Boudreaux campaign as a “special announcement regarding 20th Congressional District,” revealed the Grove and Youngblood endorsements viewed by some as a slap in the face for Bakersfield Assemblymember Vince Fong.
Who is running for the 20th Congressional District seat?
In their respective speeches, Sen. Grove said, “I’m asking all of you to join me here today in endorsing and supporting Mike Boudreaux for Congress.”