McCarthy eyes payback as former staffer vies to replace him in California election

The House seat once held by Kevin McCarthy is finally set to receive a successor, and the former speaker is placing his finger on the scale in an effort to influence who carries on his legacy.

The special election runoff on Tuesday evening will feature a showdown between Vince Fong, a former McCarthy staffer, and Tulare Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, who has positioned himself as someone ready to challenge the Republican establishment McCarthy represents. Whoever wins will then gain an advantage in November when the seat is up for a full two-year term.