Even for diehard political junkies, 2022 is going to be head-spinning crazy in Fresno
For even those few citizens among us who love politics, elections and voting, 2022 will shape up to be a rather challenging year.
For north Fresno and Clovis residents, there is the important matter of picking a successor to Rep. Devin Nunes. The Tulare Republican officially gave House Speaker Nancy Pelosi his resignation letter on New Year’s Day. He has moved on to become the head of former President Donald Trump’s social media operation.
But since Nunes’ current term for the 22nd District does not expire until the end of this year, the Constitution requires that the seat be filled by special election. No appointments are allowed, unlike when then-Sen. Kamala Harris resigned to become Joe Biden’s running mate and Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed her replacement, now Sen. Alex Padilla.
But filling Nunes’ vacant seat is just part of the drama this year. That’s because all incumbent lawmakers and challengers now have new districts created by a state commission and its every-10-year review of Census data.
So there is a redrawn 22nd District that does not look like Nunes’ current district at all. What were key parts of Nunes’ territory, including Clovis, are now the 20th District, which House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield will likely capture if he runs again. Parts of north Fresno, Visalia and Tulare that Nunes has long represented also go into different districts.
Those running for the new districts begin with the June 7 primary.
But north Fresno and Clovis voters, plus those in Tulare County, get the jump with their special election for Nunes’ current seat.
Devin Nunes caused this
While Nunes’ letter is dated Jan. 1, the House clerk’s official stamp showing receipt of it is dated Jan. 3. The dates are important because Newsom has 14 days once a vacancy occurs to call for the special election.
The process gets more complicated. Fresno County Clerk James Kus explains it this way:
Once Newsom calls for a special general election, it must be held within 126 and 140 days. However, the timing can stretch to 200 days if the balloting can be consolidated with an election already on the schedule.
Before the special general election, there is to first be a special primary election. That primary must be held nine Tuesdays before the special general election.
Late Friday Newsom picked June 7 as the special general election date, and set April 5 for the primary.
As if that was not head-spinning enough, it gets more involved.
Consolidating the special election
With the special general election added to the already planned June 7 primary election, north Fresno, Clovis and Tulare County voters will face a major task in understanding what they are voting for.
First off, they will be choosing who would represent them in Congress for the rest of this year. That’s the special election to replace Nunes.
Second, they will be picking the top two contenders for the newly drawn districts. Those top-two finishers will face off in November, with the winner taking over in January 2023. (The likelihood that someone could win the primary outright is slim to none.)
With Newsom arranging things so the special general election can be held on June 7, Kus said he will spend between $550,000 and $650,000 for the special primary.
For candidates who want to run in the special election, there will be only a 20-day window in which to turn in necessary paperwork and pay required fees.
Special elections are nothing new; they occur with regularity for lots of reasons. But a special congressional election in a presidential midterm year, on top of the once-a-decade redistricting, is a lot more novel.
Here’s hoping the voters work hard to understand it all and make wise choices.
Editor’s note: This was updated late Friday, Jan. 7, with Newsom’s announcement.
This story was originally published January 6, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
