2025 California's 32nd State Assembly district special election
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California State Assembly District 32 | ||||||||||||||||
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A special election was held in the U.S. state of California to elect a new member for District 32 in the California State Assembly, representing portions of counties Kern and Tulare. A primary was held on February 25, 2025. The election filled a vacancy caused by the election of Republican assemblyman Vince Fong to the U.S. House of Representatives. The election took place concurrently with a special election in Senate District 36.[1] The special election was called for Republican businessman Stan Ellis.
Background
Incumbent Republican assemblyman Vince Fong, who had been serving since 2016, was re-elected to the Assembly unopposed in 2022. He ran in a special election to fill the seat of resigning U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthy, winning the second round on May 21, 2024. He had already filed to run for re-election in his assembly district for the 2024 regular election, but was unable to take his name off the ballot, leaving him running in the regular elections for both the 32nd Assembly seat and the 20th U.S. House seat. On November 5, 2024, he won both elections, but chose to remain in the U.S. House, leaving his Assembly seat vacant. In September 2024, governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill to disallow candidates from running for two offices simultaneously, preventing similar issues from arising in the future.[2] As of October 2024, the 32nd Assembly District is heavily Republican, with 151,165 registered Republican voters as opposed to 79,638 Democrats.[3] Unlike in regular elections, candidates in special elections in California can be elected in the first round.[4]
Candidates
The following candidates ran for the assembly seat:
- William Brown Jr., social worker and Marine (Libertarian)[5]
- Chris Cruz-Boone, Bakersfield College professor (Democratic)[5]
- Stan Ellis, businessman (Republican)[5]
- Holli Willibey, psychology instructor and businesswoman (Republican)[5]
Endorsements
- U.S. representatives
- Vince Fong, U.S. representative from California's 20th congressional district (2024–present), state assemblyman from the 32nd district (2022–2024) and the 34th district (2016–2022)[6]
- David Valadao, U.S. representative from California's 21st congressional district (2013–2019, 2021–2023) and California's 22nd congressional district (2023–present), state assemblyman from the 30th district (2010–2012)[6]
- County officials
- Donny Youngblood, sheriff of Kern County (2006–present)[6]
- 3 Kern County supervisors[6]
Results
| Primary election | ||||
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| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Stan W. Ellis | 39,410 | 64.6 | |
| Democratic | Chris Cruz-Boone | 17,474 | 28.7 | |
| Republican | Holli Willibey | 2,665 | 4.4 | |
| Libertarian | William Brown Jr. | 1,427 | 2.3 | |
| Total votes | 60,976 | 100.0 | ||
See also
References
- ^ "Governor Newsom proclaims special election for Senate District 36, Assembly District 32". CA.gov. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ Sabalow, Ryan (November 19, 2024). "A California Republican won a seat he didn't want. Now taxpayers are paying for a new election". CalMatters. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ "Report of Registration as of October 21, 2024 Registration by State Assembly District" (PDF). California SOS. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ "Guide to Filling a Vacancy in Elective Office (Results of Special Primary Election)" (PDF). Orange County Registrar of Voters. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Segall, Peter (January 31, 2025). "District 32 candidates share a common frustration: Sacramento". Tehchapi News. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Silverstein, William (December 13, 2024). "Stan Ellis gains key endorsements in California's 32nd Assembly race". Bakersfield Now. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ "Final Official Election Results - Assembly District 32". California Secretary of State. February 25, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2025.