Who is Ken Calvert? Republican congressman in California's 40th District
Ken Calvert is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Corona, California. He is running in the newly redrawn 40th Congressional District against fellow Republican Young Kim, another sitting congressman, in a race that will decide which of them represents the seat.
Why it's in the news
Calvert and Young Kim are facing each other in a Republican-versus-Republican House race in California's 40th District, after redistricting placed both incumbents in the same seat. Their contest is drawing attention because Democratic and independent voters could decide the result.
- Ken Calvert — Calvert and Kim face off in GOP-on-GOP House race in California
Background
Ken Calvert is a sitting Republican congressman who lives in Corona, a city in Riverside County, California. He is one of the two incumbents now seeking the same seat, the 40th Congressional District. A hardline conservative, he is described in coverage as a supporter of President Trump and as a Maga-aligned Republican.
Redistricting changed the boundaries of the seat. The new district runs from Orange County communities such as Mission Viejo and Anaheim Hills into Riverside County communities such as Menifee and Murrieta. Democratic leaders redrew the map as part of a wider national effort to add Democratic seats in the U.S. House, after President Trump pushed Texas to redraw its own districts to favor Republicans.
In the June primary, Calvert finished first with 35 percent, while Kim had 21 percent and Democrat Esther Kim-Varet placed third with 17 percent. Calvert kept about half of his constituents in the new district, and Kim kept about a third of hers. A super PAC backing him has spent more than $6 million, and its mailers have tried to link Kim to Trump. Political experts say Democratic and independent voters could decide the outcome. In recent interviews, Calvert and Kim have been asked about gas prices, immigration and the war with Iran.
What people are asking
Who is Ken Calvert's opponent?
His opponent is Young Kim, a fellow Republican congresswoman from Anaheim. Redistricting placed both incumbents in the same district.
What is the 40th Congressional District?
It is a newly redrawn House seat that stretches from Orange County into Riverside County, including communities such as Murrieta and Menifee in Riverside County.
How did Ken Calvert do in the June primary?
Calvert finished first with 35 percent. Young Kim had 21 percent, and Democrat Esther Kim-Varet came third with 17 percent.
Who is Esther Kim-Varet?
She is a Democrat who finished third in the June primary with 17 percent of the vote.