Republican Representatives Ken Calvert and Young Kim are on track for a heated November runoff in California’s 40th congressional district, following a primary election that pitted them against each other in a newly redrawn district. Votes were still being counted Wednesday afternoon, but Calvert had secured 36.2% of the vote, enough to advance, while Kim followed with 21.6%. Democrat Esther Kim-Varet trailed in third place with 15.5%.
Under California’s primary system, all candidates appear on a single ballot regardless of party, and the top two vote-getters proceed to the general election. Calvert and Kim are poised to be those two. The Southern California district, covering parts of Orange and Riverside counties, is one of five redrawn by Democrats after voters approved a ballot measure in December. The goal was not to boost Democratic chances in this solidly Republican area but to force one of the two GOP incumbents out of Congress.
Both candidates have run aggressive campaigns, spending heavily to undermine each other. Kim raised nearly $8 million during the primary, far exceeding Calvert’s $5.2 million. However, Calvert benefited from a super PAC, Americans 4 Security, which spent nearly $3 million on attack ads against Kim.
Calvert, a 34-year congressional veteran, has attacked Kim for insufficient loyalty to former President Donald Trump, labeling her a “backstabbing RINO” (Republican In Name Only) and a “Trump-traitor.” The super PAC ads portrayed Kim as soft on crime, calling her a “liberal” and a “Trump hater” for her past vote to censure Trump.
Kim, a three-term congresswoman, retaliated with a brutal ad highlighting Calvert’s past scandals. Citing a 2009 Orange County Register article that named Calvert one of the “most corrupt” members of Congress, her ad described him as “swampy” and “sleazy.” It also referenced a 1994 Los Angeles Times story about Calvert being caught with a prostitute, pants down in his car, attempting to flee, and then lying to police. The ad concluded, “No wonder President Trump can’t trust Calvert.”
Calvert celebrated his primary lead early Wednesday, stating on social media, “Tonight makes it clear that voters want an effective and consistent conservative who has been with President Trump from Day One. I look forward to winning this race in November!”
