{"id":2609908,"date":"2026-06-03T05:35:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T09:35:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/calvert-advances-in-california-40th-congressional-district-primary-battle\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T05:37:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T09:37:21","slug":"calvert-advances-in-california-40th-congressional-district-primary-battle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/calvert-advances-in-california-40th-congressional-district-primary-battle\/","title":{"rendered":"Calvert advances in California 40th Congressional District primary battle"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcalvert-advances-in-california-40th-congressional-district-primary-battle%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2609908&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Orange County Republicans Ken Calvert and Young Kim are competing to win the top two spots in California\u2019s redesigned 40th Congressional District, where they are expected to face a Democratic challenger in the general election. Calvert was declared first after Tuesday night, leading with 36.1% (41,082 votes) as votes counted reached about 52%. Kim has not been officially certified as second yet, but was ahead with 21.6% (24,605 votes), while Democrat Esther Kim-Varet trailed at 15.6% (17,792 votes).<\/p>\n<p>Both candidates have emphasized loyalty to President Donald Trump as their key campaign message, and it remains unclear whether their tone will change before the Nov. 3 election. The race is particularly high-stakes because Proposition 50-supported by California Democrats-could further reduce Republican representation, potentially costing the November loser one more GOP seat in the next Congress.<\/p>\n<p>The contest also reflects how the 40th District was reshaped to become safer for Republicans by packing it with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/brutal-marjorie-taylor-greene-destroys-nasty-ga-election-official-gabe-sterling-after-his-latest-attack-on-president-trump-and-herself\/\" title=\"BRUTAL! Marjorie Taylor Greene DESTROYS Nasty GA Election Official Gabe Sterling After His Latest Attack on President Trump and Herself\">conservative voters<\/a>. Calvert, the longest-serving Republican in California\u2019s House delegation, argues he is the most genuine Trump conservative, while Kim, backed by strong fundraising, contends it is time to end Calvert\u2019s long tenure.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>LOS ANGELES \u2014 <\/strong>Orange County Reps. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/4548200\/california-jungle-primary-rising-bipartisan-backlash\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4548200\">Ken Calvert<\/a> (R-CA) and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4587478\/california-gop-incumbents-at-war-trump-loyalty-test\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4587478\">Young Kim<\/a> (R-CA), whose districts were carved up under <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"60\">California\u2019s <\/a>new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pelosi-who-claims-to-oppose-gerrymandering-funnels-300000-to-democratic-gerrymandering-group\/\" title=\"Pelosi, Who Claims to Oppose Gerrymandering, Funnels 0,000 to Democratic Gerrymandering Group\">congressional map<\/a>, are vying for the top two positions in the race for the state\u2019s 40th Congressional District. Calvert was officially declared as one of the winners on Tuesday night. With 52% of the votes <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/projects\/elections-2026\/california-primary-results-us-house\/#40\">counted<\/a> as of early Wednesday morning, Calvert was at 36.1% and 41,082 votes, according to the <em>Associated Press<\/em>. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kim has not yet been officially declared the second-place winner, but currently has a sizable <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/projects\/elections-2026\/california-primary-results-us-house\/#40\">lead<\/a> over Democrat Esther Kim-Varet. The most updated results show Kim at 21.6% and 24,605 votes, and Kim-Varet at 15.6% and 17,792 votes. The campaign for the state\u2019s 40th Congressional District has been a bruising, and at times, deeply personal primary. If Kim holds off the Democratic challenger, two Republicans would head into the general election to determine which incumbent keeps their seat in Congress.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4590386\/california-40th-congressional-district-primary-result-ken-calvert-young-kim\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>California 40th Congressional District primary result: Calvert advances to general election with opponent uncertain<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4590425\/california-11th-district-primary-wiener-chakrabarti-chan-pelosi\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>California 11th district primary results: Wiener advances to general election to succeed Pelosi<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4590425\/california-results-11th-district-primary-wiener-chakrabarti-chan-pelosi\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>California 11th district primary results: Wiener advances to general election to succeed Pelosi<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">FILE \u2013 Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif., speaks at the Capitol in Washington, April 15, 2024. (AP Photo\/J. Scott Applewhite, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both candidates staked their\u00a0political survival on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-gop-incumbents-calvert-and-kim-go-to-war-over-loyalty-to-trump\/\" title=\"California GOP incumbents ... and ... go to war over loyalty to Trump\">proving unwavering loyalty<\/a> to President Donald Trump in the primary. It is unclear if their stance will soften leading up to the Nov. 3 general election. <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If Kim holds on to her lead, the loser of the intraparty clash in November will become one of the Republican casualties of California voters\u2019 passage of Proposition 50, a 2025 ballot measure backed by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\">Gov. Gavin Newsom <\/a>(D-CA) and state Democrats that aimed to further shrink GOP representation in an already <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/swing-district-iowa-dem-very-active-in-group-that-wants-to-abolish-ice-establish-sanctuary-cities\/\" title=\"Swing-... Iowa Dem \u2018Very Active\u2019 in Group That Wants to Abolish ICE, Establish Sanctuary Cities\">deep-blue state<\/a>. Democrats currently dominate California\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house-of-representatives\/\">U.S. House delegation <\/a>43-9, and under <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >district lines taking effect<\/a> in the 2026 cycle, they could plausibly expand that advantage to 48 seats.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The winners of Tuesday\u2019s primary in California\u2019s 40th Congressional District are fighting to represent the newly configured District 40, a sprawling region southeast of Los Angeles that stretches across Orange County suburbs, parts of Riverside County, and mountain communities along the Santa Ana range. Once considered competitive territory, the district was transformed into safe Republican ground after Democratic mapmakers packed it with conservative voters siphoned from neighboring GOP seats.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Calvert, 72, is the longest-serving Republican in California\u2019s congressional delegation. He has spent 33 years in Congress, survived two rounds of redistricting, and says he is not intimidated by another political fight, especially against Kim.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., speaks at a \u201cBarbeque, Beer and Ballots\u201d event organized by Reform California on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Corona, Calif. (AP Photo\/Caroline Brehman)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m the only real, true Trump conservative,\u201d he told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cI\u2019ve been endorsed twice by the president. I work with him, and not only that, I\u2019ve done more in bringing federal dollars back to California than any member of Congress, I think, in history.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4587478\/california-gop-incumbents-at-war-trump-loyalty-test\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4587478\">CALIFORNIA GOP INCUMBENTS GO TO WAR IN TRUMP LOYALTY TEST <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Kim, 63, has made clear she has no intention of leaving Congress after nearly six years in office. Backed by strong fundraising, she argues it is time for Calvert\u2019s decadeslong tenure to end.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow many more decades does he need to get things done?\u201d Kim told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cThe reality is that Calvert has had enough time to prove himself, and after 30 years, he simply has not.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LOS ANGELES &#8211; Ken Calvert and Young Kim, Orange County Republicans in redrawn districts, are competing for the top two spots in California\u2019s new 40th Congressional District race. Calvert was officially declared a winner Tuesday night, while Kim leads Esther Kim-Varet but isn\u2019t yet confirmed<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2609909,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/kim-calvert-e1780078608415.jpg?1780064221&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[80749,4045,80750],"class_list":["post-2609908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-40th-congressional-district","tag-california","tag-election-primary"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/kim-calvert-e1780078608415.jpg?1780064221&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609908","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2646"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2609908"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609908\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2609912,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609908\/revisions\/2609912"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2609909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2609908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2609908"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2609908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}