Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux announced his candidacy to succeed Speaker Emeritus Kevin McCarthy (R–Bakersfield) in Congress on Wednesday.
His announcement comes just a couple days after he pulled papers to run for the 20th Congressional District.
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The big picture: Boudreaux, who has been the Tulare County Sheriff since 2013, is the current President of the California State Sheriff’s Association and has 37 years of experience in law enforcement.
- His GOP competition for the seat include small businessman David Giglio, Club One Casino owner Kyle Kirkland, former navy fighter pilot and small businessman Matt Stoll, and Bakersfield businessman Stan Ellis.
- It remains to be seen whether Asm. Vince Fong (R–Bakersfield) will be allowed to run since he already had filed to run for reelection to the Assembly.
- In his announcement, Boudreaux pointed to his leadership on Operation LOCCUST, which is an expansive, multi-agency operation to eradicate marijuana operations in the San JOaquin Valley that was acclaimed by the Bush Administration’s Department of Justice in 2008 and served as a model for further anti-drug enforcement efforts.
What they’re saying: Boudreaux said in a statement that he is honored by the number of people who have called on him to run for Congress.
- “We deserve experienced, conservative leadership in Congress with a record of accomplishment,” Boudreaux said. “I have spent my entire career in law enforcement, committed to keeping my community safe.”
- He added, “In my time as Sheriff, I have led the charge to make Tulare County one of the safest in California – even when it meant going toe-to-toe against decriminalization efforts crafted by Gov. Gavin Newsom and Sacramento.”
- Boudreaux said he has seen the devastating impact President Joe Biden’s “Open Door Policy” at the southern border in the Valley and firsthand at the border itself.
- “I will fight to strengthen our border and restore fairness to our immigration system,” Boudreaux said. “I will fight against Washington’s reckless tax-and-spend culture, bringing fiscal responsibility back to the center of our national finances. And I will be the loudest advocate for the Valley’s fair share of water resources to support our region’s farmers who feed not only the nation, but the world.”
