Southern California’s newly drawn 40th Congressional District has turned into a political cage match, with two sitting Republican members suddenly fighting over the same turf. Rep. Ken Calvert and Rep. Young Kim are both chasing the single seat created by the state’s mid-decade map shuffle, while a crowded bench of Democrats tries to slip into the November lineup. Next Tuesday’s June 2 primary will reveal whether a veteran Republican hangs on or a very different coalition pushes through to the fall.
Reporter Joy Benedict put both Calvert and Kim on the hot seat in a Voters Decide segment, pressing them on their records and the wave of negative mailers hitting local households. Voters can watch the full interviews on CBS News Los Angeles.
According to the Associated Press, the race has quickly zeroed in on a single litmus test: loyalty to former President Donald Trump. Both campaigns are trading sharp hits. Calvert’s ads brand Kim a “traitor” to Trump, while Kim’s messaging leans heavily on pro-Trump language aimed at locking down conservative voters. The escalated tone tracks with the high stakes after mid-decade redistricting squeezed the two incumbents into one district.
What the new map changed
Under Proposition 50, the state’s map shuffle scrapped the independent commission lines used in previous cycles. It produced a revamped CA-40 that now links inland Orange County with parts of the Inland Empire. That new configuration forced both Calvert and Kim into the same district and shifted the mix of voters they need to persuade. Local organizers say the fresh lines have turned ground operations and turnout into the true battleground, warning that name recognition alone will not be enough to win here.
Who's on the ballot
The certified candidate list includes the two Republican incumbents, a Democratic multi-candidate slate, and an independent contender. On the Democratic side, notable entrants include Esther Kim-Varet and Joe Kerr, while independent Nina Linh has also filed. County and national election trackers note that several additional Democratic challengers are on the ballot. Voters can find the complete candidate roster at Ballotpedia.
Money and the math
Cash is flowing heavily into the showdown. Federal Election Commission filings show Young Kim’s authorized committees reporting about $8.21 million in total receipts and roughly $3.09 million in cash on hand as of May 13, 2026. Over the same period, the FEC lists Ken Calvert’s committees with about $5.71 million in receipts and roughly $2.36 million cash on hand. Those sizable war chests are fueling aggressive mail campaigns, digital ad buys, and on-the-ground outreach in the run-up to primary day.
Why it matters
California’s top-two primary system means the two highest vote-getters move on to November, regardless of party. That opens the door to two Republicans advancing, or a unified Democratic push pulling off an upset. The Associated Press notes that the district still leans Republican in voter registration, yet the new boundaries and crowded field make this race far less predictable than earlier cycles. Whoever emerges from CA-40 will not only speak for parts of the Inland Empire and adjacent Orange County in Washington but could also help decide the razor-thin balance of power in the U.S. House.
The Statewide Direct Primary is scheduled for June 2, 2026. The California Secretary of State’s elections page provides official dates, deadlines, and county links for ballots and vote-center locations. Ahead of next Tuesday, voters should check county registrar websites and the state’s election pages for certified ballot information and voting options.
