A newly drawn California district pits two Republican incumbents against each other, turning Democratic voters into the potential deciding factor.
Key points
- Redistricting merged parts of Orange and Riverside counties into a single district, forcing two Republican incumbents into a head‑to‑head race.
- Democratic and independent voters, who comprise a sizable share of the electorate, could determine the winner despite the district’s overall Republican tilt.
- Both campaigns are leveraging heavy fundraising and targeted messaging, with outside PACs spending millions to frame the contest in Trump‑related terms.
Thanks to the 2026 redistricting map approved by Democratic leaders, California’s 40th Congressional District now stretches from Mission Viejo and Anaheim Hills in Orange County to Woodcrest and Murrieta in Riverside County, forcing long‑time Rep. Ken Calvert (R‑Corona) and Rep. Young Kim (R‑Anaheim) into a direct general‑election showdown, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Although the district is described as “deep red,” the Public Policy Institute of California reports that self‑identifying conservatives make up 33 % of voters, liberals 27 %, and independents lean Democratic (36 % versus 16 % Republican). That mix gives Democrats and independents a potential swing role, a point emphasized by former California GOP executive director Jon Fleischman, who warned that about half of Democratic voters may simply stay home.
Redistricting creates a rare Republican‑vs‑Republican contest
Calvert, 73, topped the June primary with 35 % of the vote, while Kim, 64, earned 21 %. Both retain portions of their former constituencies—Calvert about half, Kim roughly a third. Fund‑raising also reflects the contest’s intensity: Kim has raised $10 million in direct donations, compared with Calvert’s $7 million, and the Americans 4 Security PAC has poured more than $6 million into ads that highlight Kim’s “100 % pro‑Trump” record.
Democratic leaders have been reluctant to endorse either candidate. Orange County Democratic Party Chair Florice Hoffman said she “doesn’t care who wins” and will not mobilize voters for either Republican. Political consultant Jorge Flores noted that Kim’s reputation for coalition‑building could attract some Democratic and independent voters, but he called the task “a steeper climb.” Both parties’ local Democratic branches omitted the race from their official endorsement guides.
Voter composition leaves room for Democratic influence
The race is a product of California’s jungle primary system, which advances the top two vote‑getters regardless of party, and Proposition 50, the voter‑approved measure that allowed the new district lines. With two Republicans on the ballot, the contest is unusual for a House seat and underscores how redistricting can reshape partisan dynamics in a state that traditionally leans Democratic at the national level.
Reader questions
Why are two Republicans running against each other in a general election?
California’s jungle primary advances the top two candidates regardless of party, and the new District 40 boundaries placed Rep. Ken Calvert and Rep. Young Kim as the leading vote‑getters.
What role might Democratic voters play in the race?
Independents who lean Democratic (36 % of the electorate) and the 27 % of self‑identified liberals could swing the election, though Democratic leaders have expressed low enthusiasm for either candidate.
How much money have the candidates raised?
Young Kim has raised about $10 million in direct donations, while Ken Calvert has raised roughly $7 million; outside groups such as Americans 4 Security PAC have contributed over $6 million to support Calvert.
Source: latimes.com
