California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Monday the dates for a special election for the person who will serve the remainder of former Rep. Kevin McCarthy‘s term (R-CA) following his retirement.
The primary will be held on March 19, Newsom declared in a proclamation and accompanying statement, and a special election is scheduled for May 21 if it is needed.
California has primary system in which candidates regardless of party compete in races for certain offices, including those in Congress. In special elections, a candidate can win in the primary outright with more than 50% of the vote. If no one reaches the threshold, a run-off will follow — the May date in this case.
The announcement by Newsom solidifies a schedule in which the special election primary will be separated from California’s 2024 primary, which is set for March 5.
McCarthy, who represented the…
