Rep. Duncan Hunter's seat will sit vacant until 2021

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) will not hold a special election to fill the congressional seat that will soon be vacated by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.).

Hunter, who represents the 50th Congressional District covering parts of San Diego and Riverside counties, announced on Tuesday that he is resigning, effective Monday. In 2018, Hunter and his wife, Margaret Hunter, were indicted and accused of stealing $250,000 in campaign funds, which was used to pay for personal items and his extramarital affair.

Hunter made a deal with prosecutors, and in December, pleaded guilty to a single felony count of conspiracy to convert campaign funds to personal use. He could receive up to five years in prison.

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In a statement Wednesday, Newsom's office said that "based on the timing of the resignation, a special election will not be called." The state's primary is just two months away, and it would be difficult to either set up a special election or consolidate it with the primary, The San Diego Union-Tribune notes. The seat will stay vacant until after the general election in November, with the eventual winner being sworn in next January.