Rep. Young Kim confirmed she will seek reelection in the newly drawn California’s 40th Congressional District next year, positioning herself against fellow Republican Ken Calvert in a rare intra-party battle in Orange and Riverside counties.
Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) announced she will run for reelection in California’s 40th Congressional District in the 2026 cycle, a race complicated by newly drawn boundaries under Proposition 50 and a looming challenge from fellow Republican Rep. Ken Calvert.
Kim, who has served in the U.S. House since 2021 and has represented the 40th since 2023 following redistricting, reaffirmed her commitment to the district and criticized partisan map-making in Sacramento.
In a statement, she wrote, “I’m running because it is clear we need an America-First champion to take the fight to radical Democrats and help President Trump unleash the Golden Age.”
Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) announced his intention to run in the same district, shifting from his current 41st district after the maps changed, calling for voters to choose “a proven conservative they can trust.”
Kim’s 2024 reelection was successful—she defeated Democrat challenger Joe Kerr in the 40th district—but Democrats continue to view the seat as a target given shifting demographics.
The primary battle between two incumbent Republicans signals not just a local contest but a broader test of conservative unity in Southern California under the new map, which shrank GOP-friendly seats in the state.
For Kim, the race is framed as a defense of conservative values in a district she says was reshaped by Democrats.
For Calvert, it’s about longevity and service in the area.
The clash will force voters to choose between two established Republicans rather than a Republican and a Democrat.
A potential option for Kim could be to run in the newly drawn 47th District, which, under the Proposition 50 map, absorbs parts of her former territory and better aligns with her traditional Orange County base.
The district could present a more favorable path forward should the 40th become crowded, highlighting how California’s redistricting is already forcing many incumbents—including Republicans—to reconsider their political footing.
