COVID-19 exposure delayed the results for the razor-thin race in California’s 21st Congressional District between Democratic Rep. T.J. Cox and former Rep. David Valadao, a Republican.
The California Kings County Election Department announced Tuesday the department would temporarily close “due to a COVID-19 exposure,” and that, “as a precautionary measure, all Election canvass operations will cease effective immediately.”
The canvass activities will resume on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 8 a.m. and will continue until the canvass is completed.
Valadao currently leads Cox 51.4% to 48.6%, with 72% of precincts reporting. Reaction from the National Republican Congressional Committee was swift.
“This is bullshit,” NRCC Communications Director Chris Pack tweeted.
The district was a target for Republicans this cycle to flip back after losing it to Democrats in 2018 by fewer than 1,000 votes.
The contest pitted Cox against Valadao, the former congressman who previously represented the district from 2012 until the 2018 midterm elections. The district is located in the state’s northern Central Valley and spans across Kings County and parts of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern counties.
Republicans flipped California’s 48th Congressional District this year when Michelle Steel defeated Democrat Congressman Harley Rouda, and the GOP candidates are currently leading in two other uncalled California races.
