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.
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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.
