California holds special election during pandemic to fill Katie Hill's seat
WASHINGTON – Amid the coronavirus pandemic, a special election in California is underway Tuesday to fill the seat of former Rep. Katie Hill, who resigned last year after allegations she had an inappropriate sexual relationship with staffers.
Christy Smith, a Democratic state Assemblywoman, and Republican Mike Garcia, a former fighter jet pilot, are competing to represent California's 25th Congressional District, which includes parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
The winner of the race will serve the remainder of Hill's term, which expires in January. Smith and Garcia will also face off in November to see who will be elected to serve a full term. Hill, a Democrat, resigned from the office last fall amid allegations of inappropriate relationships with staffers in an ordeal that included leaked nude photos of her.
As with most things going on right now, the election is being impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
California is currently under a stay-at-home order. But Gov. Gavin Newsom on March 20 lifted provisions of state law to allow country registrars to conduct an "all-mail ballot" elections for the special election and a state senate race also happening Tuesday. Newsom also ordered that ballots be mailed to every voter in the 25th congressional district.
"Whereas hundreds of local governments across the state have also declared states of emergency, imposed or recommended social distancing, and taken other significant steps in response to COVID-19," he wrote in an executive order, "[the special elections] shall each be held as an all-mail ballot election."
Tuesday's special election will be almost all vote-by-mail with ballots sent to the district's more than 400,000 registered voters, according to the Ventura County Star.
There are also several limited in-person options in Los Angeles and Ventura counties for those who are unregistered voters and others who can't or won't vote by mail. Curbside voting will be options for the in-person voting locations.
The special election for the 25th congressional district is competitive, with the district being considered a toss-up by the Cook Political Report. Hill in 2018 flipped the district from Republican to Democrat.
Garcia is hoping to flip the district back to red and has gained traction in the past several weeks. President Donald Trump has also endorsed Garcia.
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"Remember, get out and Vote for Mike Garcia in CA25. A really big deal for our Country!" Trump wrote in a tweet Tuesday morning. The president has tweeted numerous times about this race over the past several days.
Smith has also received endorsements from key Democrats, such as former President Barack Obama, former Secretary Hillary Clinton and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is also from California.
“Now, more than ever, we need pragmatic, experienced and effective leaders in Washington," Obama said in a statement, adding that Smith "has proven herself as a leader in her community."
Contributing: Tom Kisken, Ventura County Star
