BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Associated Press is projecting incumbent Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R) will move forward to California’s 20th Congressional District and face Democratic challenger Marisa Wood.
The Associated Press called the second spot for Wood on Friday.
McCarthy, with 58.7% and Wood carried just over 25% of the vote on Friday with 67% of precincts reporting, according to the California Secretary of State’s Office.
McCarthy currently holds the seat for California’s 23rd Congressional district and is running for the new 20th Congressional district. He was born in Bakersfield, Calif., and graduated from California State University, Bakersfield.
Only an hour and 20 minutes after the polls closed Tuesday night, McCarthy declared his victory. He sent out a statement via email.
That statement said:
“I want to thank the voters of the new 20th District for their support in our shared vision to make the Central Valley more prosperous, safer, and affordable for our families and communities. I also want to personally thank my family, staff and volunteers for their tireless work and commitment. It is my greatest honor to represent you in Congress, and I will continue to fight to stop the rising cost of inflation in our stores and at the pump, keep our neighborhoods safe, and bring more water to our farms and communities.”
Wood is a teacher at Fairfax Junior High School. According to her campaign website, Wood was born in Danville, Calif., and has been in Kern County for 35 years.She attended California Polytechnic State University.
Congressional District 20 includes portions of Fresno, Kern, Kings, and Tulare Counties, including the whole Cities of Clovis, Lemoore, Maricopa, Ridgecrest, Taft, and Tehachapi, and portions of the Cities of Bakersfield, Fresno, Hanford, Tulare, and Visalia.
