Election Countdown: California’s 23rd Congressional Race

October 19, 2020

Race: California’s 23^rd Congressional District

Key Cities: Bakersfield

Matchup: Republican/Incumbent Kevin McCarthy vs. Democrat Kim Mangone

The Race:

We are now 15 days out from one of the most important election days of our generation, especially with the future of the energy industry on the line.

California’s 23rd district covers Kern and Tulare Counties, which includes Bakersfield, CA. The incumbent is House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R), who is running against Kim Mangone (D).

This district is especially important to oil production. Kern County is one of the top oil producers in the country. According to the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management, “four of the nation’s top seven producing oil fields are located in Kern County.” The Kern County Administrative Office reports, “Kern County’s energy and natural resources cluster provides nearly 18,000 private sector jobs in oil and gas production, field services, electricity, refining, chemicals, and plastics.”

With the oil and gas sector being a leading industry in his district, it is no surprise the Leader McCarthy voted no to both H.R. 205 which extends the ban of offshore drilling in the U.S. and H.R. 1146 which banned the exploration of oil fields in Alaska. Leader McCarthy understands that for this country to become energy independent we must harvest the natural resources that are available to us.

Polls:

In 2018 Leader McCarthy won big over his democrat challenger and it looks like the 2020 election will be no different. The Cook Political Report has ranked this race as solid Republican. It is clear the 18,000 energy workers in this district appreciate Leader McCarthy’s continued support of the industry.