Candidates scramble to win House seat held by retired Speaker Kevin McCarthy

Eleven candidates are on the March 5 primary ballot in California’s 20th Congressional District, previously held by retired Rep. Kevin McCarthy.

McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, left Congress in December after being ousted as Speaker of the House of Representatives in October.

In addition to the March 5 primary for a full two-year term to start in Jan. 2025, there is a separate election with a March 19 primary to finish the remainder of McCarthy’s term. Some of the same candidates are running in both, but this page focuses just on candidates for the March 5 primary.

California’s 20th, a solidly-red district, encompasses parts of Kern, Tulare, Kings and Fresno counties.

The frontrunner for both races is presumed to be Assemblyman Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, who served as McCarthy’s district director for nearly a decade. But his bid for the two-year term faces a legal challenge by California’s secretary of state which aims to expunge votes cast for Fong in the March 5 primary.

This is what the candidates said, in alphabetical order if they responded to emailed questions:

Ben Dewell

Party: No Party Preference (Independent)

Age: 59

Birthplace: Burbank, California (moved to Fresno at 6 months old)

Residence: Stallion Springs, California

Occupation: Director, Stallion Springs Community Service District; hearing director, Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District

Education: UC Davis (MS in Atmospheric Science); California State University, Fresno (BA in Biology); Fresno Unified School District (K-12)

Offices held: Elected director of Stallion Springs Community Service District, 2018-present; appointed variance hearing director, Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District, 2021-present

Campaign website address: bendewell.com

Q. What steps will you urge to help reduce federal deficits?

Except in periods of existential crises, deficit spending should be approached from both ends of the political spectrum through the middle serving no political party dogma and seeking compromise from both revenues and spending, until the budget is balanced.

Q. What is your view on abortion rights? What would you want Congress to do now, if anything?

I stand with the right of the individual to hold dominion over their own bodies. Congress needs to remove any such decisions from the Courts and give them back to the people and their medical advisors. Congress needs to codify a woman’s right to choose her own destiny.

Q. What changes, if any, do you support for immigration and border policy?

Asylum seekers of both political and economic stripe must be accommodated within our justice system. Funding for immigration judges must be increased (by Congress) to handle existing political asylum claims. Anyone not able to prove clear and present jeopardy should be returned to their country of origin, credible DACA excluded. Those economic migrants seeking work in the U.S. unfilled by citizens should be allowed temporary work/stay status for the duration of the work. Employers of temporary workers will share responsibility assessing legal status. Non-adjudicated asylum seekers within U.S. borders shall be required to report to immigration authority at regular intervals, or face permanent deportation from the country and loss of any chance for citizenship.

Border strengthening through increased border patrol and electronic surveillance.

The overview of America’s current immigration problems is rooted in hemispheric problems. This must be addressed if any long-term solutions are ever to be realized. Foreign aid to nations with citizens who feel compelled to migrate to the U.S. must be contingent upon humanitarian and legal changes necessary to keep their populations from emigrating and strengthen democracies. This may perhaps be loosely interpreted to be a “Marshall Plan” for third world Western Hemisphere countries.

Q. What should Congress’ next steps be in dealing with climate issues?

Decades of verifiable climate data supports climate change (i.e., warming) continuing to runaway levels if not curbed as consistently and efficiently as possible. My agricultural clients knew that it would affect them first when I forecasted synoptic weather for the San Joaquin Valley some thirty years ago. The time for burying our heads in the sand is long gone due to decades of inaction by legislators suckling at the trough of Big Oil.

Congress can attempt mitigation of further warming and avoid catastrophe by enforcing and rewarding continuing reduction of causal greenhouse gases by investment in renewable energy, electrification and battery storage. The unfortunately named IRA, the last piece of any significant legislation passed by Congress, was a good start. Congress must support the pioneering efforts of the private sector in moving to renewable energy sources — solar, wind, nuclear fusion. Partisan legislators, mired in lobbying dollars, must be replaced by Independents who are willing to work from the middle out to grease the skids of Congress and do the people’s work.

T.J. Esposito

Party: No Party Preference

Age: 44

Birthplace: Bakersfield, California

Residence: Bakersfield, California

Occupation: Owner of media company that specializes in union matters

Education: Centennial High School graduate

Campaign website address: tjesposito.com

Q. What steps will you urge to help reduce federal deficits?

Bring critical manufacturing back to America and lean out government spending.

Q. What is your view on abortion rights? What would you want Congress to do now, if anything?

I support women’s rights unconditionally.

Q. What changes, if any, do you support for immigration and border policy?

It is my belief we have a wartime invasion happening. Military must be deployed to handle the current problem.

Q. What should Congress’ next steps be in dealing with climate issues?

Set a standard for clean energy production and cut out business with countries that do not adhere to those policies. That has to be the first step before drastic measures are taken in our country.

Vince Fong

Party: Republican

Age: 44

Birthplace: Bakersfield, California

Residence: Bakersfield, California

Occupation: California State Assemblyman

Education: UCLA (BA in Political Science); Princeton University (MPA in Public Affairs)

Offices held: California State Assembly, 2016-present

Campaign website address: VinceFong.com

Q. What steps will you urge to help reduce federal deficits?

Californians are feeling the impacts of Washington’s overspending in the form of crippling inflation. The only meaningful solution to our federal budget deficit is to reduce spending.

Washington politicians have indebted our children and grandchildren with trillions of dollars of debt, and both parties are responsible. It will take real political courage to buck this status quo, reign in spending and reduce our federal deficit and national debt.

Q. What is your view on abortion rights? What would you want Congress to do now, if anything?

I am anti-abortion and have a consistent record of voting against abortion policies in the Assembly. I also fundamentally do not believe that taxpayer dollars should fund abortion services. I stand by my anti-abortion values and will not waver in my conviction that all life is precious and worthy of protection.

I also acknowledge that abortions are incredibly difficult decisions. To me, being “pro-life” is about compassion. We are showing compassion for that child by giving them the opportunity to live. But we also must show compassion for the mother. Being “pro-life” should also mean that we acknowledge how incredibly difficult and heartbreaking the decisions facing a prospective mother can be and do everything we can to support women in those situations.

Q. What changes, if any, do you support for immigration and border policy?

The chaos on the southern border must end. It is a direct threat to our national security to allow thousands of migrants to pour across the border every day. It is absolutely clear that there are terrorist threats entering the country at the border, human trafficking is at an all time high and unprecedented amounts of dangerous drugs like fentanyl are coming across the border.

We must invest in border security measures of all kinds: hiring more border patrol agents, investing in surveillance and monitoring technology and continuing to build fencing and a wall.

Q. What should Congress’ next steps be in dealing with climate issues?

We produce some of the world’s cleanest and safest oil and gas here in the Central Valley. I have spent years working with oil and gas producers to unlock the energy potential of the Central Valley and lead the way towards national energy independence.

We achieved energy independence as a nation under the Trump administration and have now gone backwards thanks to the misguided energy policies of President Joe Biden that have sought to address climate change without acknowledging the important role domestic energy production plays in reducing reliance on heavy polluters like China.

We must stop demonizing the hard-working men and women that produce reliable and affordable energy that we all use every single day. My next steps on energy and climate policy would be to once again achieve energy independence by unleashing Central Valley energy providers.

David Giglio

Party: Republican

Age: 35

Birthplace: New Haven, Connecticut

Residence: Clovis, California

Occupation: Owner of CaliCards & More

Education: University of Scranton (BA in History and Political Science, Master’s in Teaching)

Offices held: None

Campaign website address: davidagiglio.com

Q. What steps will you urge to help reduce federal deficits?

There’s reckless spending in every aspect of the “big government spending bills” championed by a Congress whose only solution for anything is to tax and spend more of our taxpayer dollars. Just recently, Senator Rand Paul identified over $900 billion in wasteful government spending that ranged from COVID relief fraud to a $2.7 million grant to study Russian cats walking on a treadmill.

In addition to voting against all forms of reckless spending, including voting against spending billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars on foreign aid to countries who hate us, I will champion a Balanced Budget Amendment to stop Congress from running up our national debt any further.

Q. What is your view on abortion rights? What would you want Congress to do now, if anything?

Every life is precious and must be protected. I will cosponsor the Life at Conception Act and seek to ban abortion in America. What does it say about us as a nation if we refuse to protect the most vulnerable among us?

Q. What changes, if any, do you support for immigration and border policy?

Joe Biden and Secretary Mayorkas can attempt to gaslight the public about the situation at the southern border all they want, but the American people know the truth: It’s a crisis. There is no putting the American people first without fighting to end the crisis at our nation’s southern border.

We must impeach of Secretary Mayorkas. Then, we should issue a temporary moratorium on immigration until the border is fully secured, the wall is finished, the backlog of current pending cases is cleared and the naturalization process is streamlined to meet 21st century demands.

Additionally, we should end foreign aid to Mexico and other Central American nations until they commit to crushing the cartels while ensuring capital punishment for drug and human traffickers.

Q. What should Congress’ next steps be in dealing with climate issues?

America must reinvest in nuclear power, which is clean, safe, reliable and efficient. Additionally, California’s 20th Congressional District sits on top of some of the largest domestic oil fields in the nation. Congress must use the power of the purse to force Gavin Newsom and the radical Democratic State Legislature to authorize more drilling.

Furthermore, under President Donald Trump, the U.S. was energy independent. I support unleashing American energy by reducing burdensome regulations, cutting bureaucratic red tape and ramping up domestic oil production to make the U.S. energy independent again.

Kyle Kirkland

Party: Republican

Age: 61

Birthplace: Portsmouth, Virginia

Residence: Clovis, California

Occupation: President of Club One Casino in Fresno; president of the California Gaming Association; director and board chair for the Fresno Chaffee Zoo; founder and president of The Kirkland Foundation

Education: Harvard University (BA in Economics); Stanford University (MBA)

Offices held: None

Campaign website address: kirkland2024.com

Q. What steps will you urge to help reduce federal deficits?

To reduce the federal deficit, I will pursue a pragmatic review of government revenue sources and spending to ensure that taxpayer money is collected fairly and used judiciously. The plan will include tax reform to ensure our tax policies are simple and promote efficient use of resources by both businesses and individual taxpayers. I will encourage economic growth by championing policies that promote free markets, entrepreneurship and innovation — a robust economy boosts revenue, mitigating the need for tax increases.

My perspective as an experienced business leader with a track record of revitalizing companies and generating quality jobs sets me apart from the other candidates. I am committed to solutions, not rhetoric, to steer our economy toward a prosperous future, and have the track record to prove it.

Q. What is your view on abortion rights? What would you want Congress to do now if anything?

The recent Supreme Court ruling returned the decision-making power on abortion laws back to the states. This shift emphasizes the importance of state-level legislation and governance.

As a candidate committed to finding practical solutions to the priorities of California’s 20th Congressional District, I will concentrate on the areas where my leadership can be most effective for our community. This includes tackling the high cost of living, border security and economic challenges. I am not a career politician, I am a businessman with the knowledge and experience to deliver tangible results for our district — and I plan on doing so with issues germane to Congress.

Q. What changes, if any, do you support for immigration and border policy?

The current administration’s policies have led to unprecedented chaos at the southern border, with illegal crossings increasing five-fold over the last few years. This surge has intensified legitimate voter concerns over illicit drug trafficking, enforcement of immigration policy, challenges to our existing housing and health care infrastructure and fundamental fairness.

As a result, we need a comprehensive border control strategy: now. To address the problem, I will approach it as I would any immediate logistics problem. I will support policy change to slow inflow to the U.S., including integrating virtual and physical barriers to inhibit unlawful entry and staff, equip and support Customs and Border Protection teams to do their jobs. I will also oppose policies that overburden existing housing, health care and education resources to the detriment of those who are lawfully in the U.S.

California relies on lawful immigration to drive our vital agriculture industry, but safety, infrastructure, budget and moral constraints demand that we find fair solutions. Upholding our laws and securing our borders is fundamental to our safety, stability and sovereignty, and I will apply my practical, results-oriented leadership to solving this crisis.

Q. What should Congress’ next steps be in dealing with climate issues?

As a long-time advocate of nature and the outdoors, I believe in policies that show our appreciation and respect of the natural world. And as a businessman who values results over rhetoric, I believe in commonsense solutions that ensure reliable water sources for agriculture, balance renewable and non-renewable energy sources and enhance our quality of life.

We need to respect our farmers — they feed us — our energy producers — they warm and drive us — and the constraints of our aging infrastructure and human nature before issuing poorly considered mandates. In Congress, I will advocate for policies that strike this balance, policies that respect our environment but acknowledge the realities of farming, energy use and human nature — and I am the only candidate with a proven track record of balancing both.

Marisa Wood

Party: Democratic

Age: 63

Birthplace: Walnut Creek, California

Residence: Bakersfield, California

Occupation: English teacher

Education: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (BA, Single Subject Teaching Credential); Monte Vista High School

Offices held: None

Campaign website address: marisawoodforcongress.com

Q. What steps will you urge to help reduce federal deficits?

Comprehensive approach with a combination of responsible spending cuts and revenue enhancement measures. Prioritizing efficiency in government programs and eliminating redundant expenditures. Exploring options such as closing tax loopholes and ensuring a fair and equitable tax system including fully funding the IRS.

Q. What is your view on abortion rights? What would you want Congress to do now, if anything?

I wholeheartedly endorse a woman’s autonomy in making choices about her own reproductive health. So that women and abortion rights are not threatened again, I believe that Congress should codify a woman’s right to an abortion.

Q. What changes, if any, do you support for immigration and border policy?

The aim is to create policies aligning with the nation’s values, considering economic, humanitarian and security factors.

Aspects of this overhaul should include: 1. Increasing border security through technology and infrastructure; 2. implementing visa programs and paths to legal status including pathway to citizenship for long-term undocumented residents acknowledging their contributions; 3. urging a well-funded immigration program to efficiently process asylum cases, involving increased judges, lawyers and support staff; and 4. fortifying ports of entry and ensuring that we build capacity for asylum seekers as the needs arise.

Striking a balance between border security and humane treatment is essential, with discussions centering on effective measures respecting human rights and international obligations.

Q. What should Congress’ next steps be in dealing with climate issues?

I believe it begins with a clear understanding that climate change is real and is an issue that must be met head on. The U.S. must prioritize a swift transition investing and incentivizing clean technologies and implementing policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

We also need to focus our attention on adoption of carbon capture technologies to further mitigate greenhouse gas. We in the Central Valley are primed to be a leader in these efforts both nationally and globally.

Mike Boudreaux

Party: Republican

Occupation: Tulare County Sheriff

Campaign website address: boudreauxforcongress.com

Did not respond to emailed questions.

Stan Ellis

Party: Republican

Occupation: Tech entrepreneur

Endorsed Fong.

Kelly Kulikoff

Party: Republican

Occupation: California City Mayor

Campaign website address: kellykulikoff.com

Did not respond to emailed questions.

Andy Morales

Party: Democratic

Occupation: Private security guard

Campaign website address: andymoralesforcongress.com

Did not respond to emailed questions.

Matt Stoll

Party: Republican

Occupation: Small business owner, former fighter pilot

Campaign website address: electmattstoll.com

Did not respond to emailed questions.