The mad rush is on.
One day removed from Rep. Devin Nunes’ (R–Tulare) surprising announcement that he would retire from Congress to lead former President Donald Trump’s soon-to-launch $1 billion media empire, the first of likely man prospective Republican candidates has emerged.
Tuesday, State Sen. Andreas Borgeas (R–Fresno) launched an exploratory committee with the Federal Elections Commission, opening the door for him to fundraise for a Spring 2022 special election.
California’s elections code provides that Congressional vacancies occurring before the filing deadline for an upcoming election should be filled via a special election.
Amid California’s redistricting, it begs the question: which district will be filled?
The answer: Nunes’ current seat, the 22nd Congressional district, which runs from north Fresno to Tulare County.
Per state law, Gov. Gavin Newsom is required to declare a special election within 14 days of the vacancy. Consensus estimates place that time at no later than Jan. 14, 2022.
The election must be held on a Tuesday between 126 and 140 days from that declaration.
As noted by GV Wire, California’s June 7 statewide primary election arrives within 180 days of the declaration making it the logical choice for a special election.
Given this, a primary election could be scheduled on April 5, 2022. If a single candidate wins a majority vote in April, they would be declared the winner and duly elected to Nunes’ current seat.
If no majority winner emerges in April, the special election heads to a run-off on the June 7 primary ballot.
