BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — In just under a month, some voters in Kern and Tulare counties will see ballots for another election. This special election is to fill the 32nd Assembly District seat, vacated by now-Congressman Vince Fong.
Back in October 2024, just a month before the general presidential election, 17 News spoke with the Congressman about the potential of a special election.
17’s Jenny Huh: “In terms of the logistics, a special election could happen?”
Rep. Vince Fong: “We’ll cross the bridge if it happens. We’ll do another interview, and we’ll discuss that option.”
17’s Jenny Huh: “I’m going to hold you to that.”
Rep. Vince Fong: “All right.”
That special election is now a reality.
As former state Assemblyman Vince Fong became Congressman Fong, he left the 32nd Assembly District seat vacant.
He ran for Congress in the first place because his longtime mentor, Kevin McCarthy, resigned from the 20th Congressional District, following his ouster from the House speakership.
“I found out Congressman McCarthy wasn’t running for re-election when he came out with his Wall Street Journal op-ed,” Fong said in a January 2024 episode of “Kern County In Depth” with Alex Fisher.
That was already after Fong declared for reelection to the Assembly. So, Fong tried to run for Congress instead, to succeed McCarthy, but California’s Secretary of State argued a candidate can run only for one office in an election.
Fong disagreed, which led to a months-long lawsuit that Fong won. His name remained on the ballot for both CD-20 and AD-32.
Bakersfield City Councilmember Ken Weir attempted to succeed Fong this past presidential election. Kern Republicans, including Fong himself, rallied behind Weir but were unsuccessful.
Fong won both CD-20 and AD-32. So, AD-32 is vacant once again, and this 2025 special election will determine the next representative.
In December, 17 News profiled Republican Stan Ellis and Democrat Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone have launched campaign. Click those links to watch the full interviews.
This week, 17 News is featuring two more candidates set to be on the ballot.
“I know that I’m running to be a ‘lawmaker.’ I’d love to be more of a law destroyer,” said AD-32 candidate William Brown.
Brown, a clinical social worker, is the only Tulare County candidate thus far.
The 43-year-old from Florida is in his fifth year as a Libertarian but said he has been both Republican and Democrat.
Brown said he first came to California when he joined the Marine Corps, specializing in F/A-18 avionics. He said during his service, he went on six deployments, including for Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
He’s lived in Visalia since 2018.
“I come from the view that every election, we do the same thing over and over again,” Brown said. “We look between a choice of two choices.”
Brown added that this isn’t The Matrix — voters don’t have to choose between a red or blue pill.
He also explained he doesn’t think the issues are left or right — rather, they’re top or bottom.
“We need to have more of our individual liberties more present so that we’re not allowing the state in itself to be in a position where it controls our dollars,” Brown said.
Over-taxation, Brown emphasized, is his biggest concern.
“The taxation dollars that we’d be saving can be back in the community because I believe the people have the best interest and will spend their money in a much better way than the government will,” the candidate suggested.
He also stated there should be no income tax on overtime or on our heroes — like law enforcement, healthcare providers and educators.
17’s Jenny Huh: “Given that, William, I’m curious, where do you draw the line between government overreach and what in fact is necessary government involvement like creating law and order in our society, for example?”
William Brown: “Certainly, certainly. In terms of the law and order, sure, we need the government to be there to protect our individual liberties, but in actuality, that’s really the only purpose of our government.”
On other Central Valley topics such on oil and water, Brown admitted while he’s no expert, he’s willing to learn where the red tape is.
Holli Willibey — who would say only she’s in her early 50s — is the second Republican candidate.
Willibey joined 17 News with her partner-in-crime, Jack, a Yorkshire Terrier.
“So as much as he’s cute and fluffy, and I look like just regular old little lady, I’m actually a ball of fire,” she said.
From Detroit, Michigan, Willibey said she moved to Frazier Park about five years ago.
Willibey — who taught college criminal justice and psychology — was just elected to the El Tejon Unified School District Board.
She said she also has 15 years of experience in the field of security, like working as a bouncer and prison guard.
“We have to be able to get our government back to the people, and that is what I intend to do,” Willibey said of her goals.
The assemblymember-hopeful said her priority is passing a crime bill, which she says will “Bring the power back to the people by allowing the people to file their own criminal charges under certain circumstances.”
Willibey acknowledged that while she knows vouching for such a law won’t be easy, she hopes to tackle the “crime within our agencies.”
Willibey criticized leaders — especially Sheriff Donny Youngblood and District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer — for not assisting her and neighbors rid their area of a registered sex offender, despite evidence.
17’s Jenny Huh: “If elected, these are the very people at least here in Kern County you’re going to have to work with, interact with on a frequent basis. I’m just curious how you plan to do that because you did have some hard-hitting critiques?”
Holli Willibey: “Oh I plan to hold them accountable. You’re not going to lie to my face, I will call you out.
Willibey added that other top issues include education, homelessness, drug and mental health issues, as well as foreign ownership of real estate.
“Bottom line is, I want to start a committee of regular citizens that know what else is going on in this county because as I started to speak out, people started to tell me similar stories,” she said.
The AD-32 primary election is on Feb. 25, 2025.
Vote-by-mail ballots will arrive throughout next week.
Though the official candidate filing period is over, potential write-in candidates have until Tuesday, Feb. 11, to file.
Click here for the full interview with William Brown.
Click here for the full interview with Holli Willibey.
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