CORONA — Republican Rep. Ken Calvert has advanced to the November general election for California's newly redrawn 40th Congressional District after finishing in the top two of the state’s primary election. California uses a top-two primary system, in which the two candidates who receive the most votes proceed to the general election regardless of party affiliation.
The new 40th Congressional District, established under a 2025 redistricting measure backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative Democrats, combines parts of the current districts represented by Rep. Ken Calvert and Rep. Young Kim. Calvert currently represents California’s 41st Congressional District. Kim was elected in 2023 to represent the previous version of the 40th Congressional District. The redrawn district spans from eastern Orange County cities like Villa Park and Mission Viejo across the Inland Empire to Murrieta and Menifee, and splits the city of Corona in half.
Calvert, a Corona native first elected to Congress in 1992, has served more than 30 years and previously represented California’s 42nd, 43rd, and 44th congressional districts. Kim, who is from Anaheim Hills, represented California’s 39th Congressional District from 2021 to 2023 and served in the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2016. She is one of the first Korean American women to serve in Congress.
Young Kim faced seven challengers in the primary for the newly redrawn 40th Congressional District, including Calvert. Hours after Calvert announced his campaign, Kim launched her reelection bid. Both candidates have exchanged criticisms on the campaign trail regarding each other’s support for and work with former President Donald Trump. They are also known for supporting immigration reform and Trump’s 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' which allocated nearly $47 million for the U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Democratic candidate Joseph Kerr, a retired firefighter, is also running in the 40th District race. Kerr previously ran against Young Kim in 2024.