CA Gov Won’t Call Election To Replace Felon GOP Rep

Politico reports:

Rep. Duncan Hunter’s San Diego-area seat will remain vacant until 2021 once Hunter steps aside, potentially undercutting the GOP’s prospects for holding the district.

While Hunter pleaded guilty to misusing campaign funds in December, he waited until Monday to formally set his resignation date for next week. Now California Gov. Gavin Newsom has confirmed he will not call a special election to fill the seat, with a spokesperson citing “the timing of the resignation.”

Fellow Republicans vying for Hunter’s seat have accused him of dragging his feet. They’ve warned that an open seat would deprive voters of representation in Congress and could weaken their standing going into November by ensuring they aren’t fielding a Republican incumbent.