The Republican California Assemblyman designated by former GOP Congressman and failed Speaker Kevin McCarthy is not eligible to appear on the ballot for the office by California’s Secretary of State because he’s already registered for reelection for his current office, KFSN ABC-30 in Fresno reports.

McCarthy ordained Bakersfield Assemblyman Vince Fong as his chosen successor for his seat representing California’s 20th Congressional district, but because Fong applied to run for reelection to his Assembly seat prior to the December 8th deadline, he is barred from his name appearing another time on the ballot according to state law.  California law also prohibits a candidate from removing their name from the ballot after the deadline, meaning Fong cannot negate his reelection bid to run for McCarthy’s seat.

As he repeatedly did in the months he led the House, McCarthy caused the chaos himself.   By childishly announcing his retirement from Congress on December 6th, just two days before the normal candidate filing deadline in the state, McCarthy screwed all established Republicans in the state who had eyes for reelection or for a new office run and had already registered their campaigns for their desired office with the state Secretary of State office.  Fong says he will challenge the office’s decision in court, because Republicans believe they are exempt from laws they don’t like.

Plus, McCarthy’s imprecise initial resignation announcement–saying he was leaving Congress “by the end of the year”–meant the state could not determine whether an election to replace McCarthy could be added to a scheduled March 2024 special election for other issues.  Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom will determine if another special election will be held prior to the November 2024 general election, which means the seat could sit vacant, narrowing more the GOP majority in the House.