By Valley Ag Voice Staff
A Sacramento Superior Court Judge ruled that Assemblyman Vince Fong can run for the 20th Congressional seat. After his Congressional bid was rejected by California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, Fong filed a lawsuit to reverse the decision. The hearing was held on Dec. 28 at 1:30 p.m.
Judge Shelleyanne W.L. Chang presided over the case, ruling that Fong’s name will appear on the CD-20 ballot. The argument presented against Fong’s inclusion in the ballot cited California Election Code 8803(b), which states that candidates are prohibited from “filing for more than one office at the same election.”
However, the argument did not persuade the court as the language of 8003(b) should not be read in isolation and is ultimately inapplicable to Fong. Plainly, the court ruled that it can not be used as a reason to preclude him from the primary ballot for Congress.
The ruling noted that there are concerns over voter confusion and the disenfranchisement of voters if Fong is elected for both Assembly and Congress. Still, it was compelled to interpret the law as it was written.
Fong remains the incumbent for the 32nd Assembly District and will also be included in the Congressional ballot.
