Who's running in California's 40th congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Both candidates are Republicans, and the argument between them has been almost entirely about loyalty to the president and about who is a Washington insider — not about policy differences, which are limited. Voters are effectively choosing between a member first elected in 1992 and one first elected in 2020.
2 candidates · ballot order · Ken Calvert currently holds this seat
High confidenceHigh confidenceBacked by government records or the candidate's own official statements, with agreement across several independent sources.What would raise it: Nothing missing — this is the strongest evidence tier.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Consistent support for the president's agenda, which he makes the central claim of his campaign.
Appropriations work for inland Southern California, including transport infrastructure.
Conservative fiscal and defence priorities.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative since January 1993; re-elected in the 41st District in 2024 with 51.7%.
Member of the House Appropriations Committee.
In 2024 the Los Angeles Times reported he had not disclosed his 2016 purchase of a commercial rental property in Corona, about a mile from a bridge that received $2 million in earmarked funds through his office.
Took about 35% in the June 2, 2026 primary, finishing first.
Age 73.
Arguments in favor
"We need a conservative who's been with President Trump through thick and thin, not just when it's politically expedient" — where Kim, he says, has separated herself from the president repeatedly.
— Ken Calvert's campaign
Thirty-three years of seniority, including a seat on the Appropriations Committee, is influence the district would give up by starting over with a junior member.
— Ken Calvert's campaign
Arguments against
He is attacking her because "he cannot run on his 30-plus-year record in office" — he is a creature of Washington who is serving himself, and who worked with Nancy Pelosi.
— Young Kim, his opponent
He did not disclose buying a commercial rental property in Corona in 2016, roughly a mile from a bridge that got $2 million in earmarks routed through his office.
— The Los Angeles Times, in 2024 reporting
What we couldn’t verify
A campaign website could not be confirmed; the positions above come from campaign advertising and reporting.
His response to the Los Angeles Times reporting on the Corona property.
Whether the two candidates differ on any substantial policy question; the campaign has been about loyalty and tenure.
Standing with the president; she now describes herself as a Trump Republican, after stressing independence from him in 2018.
Small business and economic policy, drawing on her background as a business owner.
Replacing long-tenured Washington incumbents with members she says are not serving themselves.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 40th District since January 2021; re-elected in 2024 with 55.3%.
Small business owner and financial analyst; staffer to former Rep. Ed Royce.
Served in the California State Assembly before Congress.
Voted to censure the president over January 6, which her opponent's advertising now raises against her.
Took about 21% in the June 2, 2026 primary, finishing second.
Age 63.
Arguments in favor
The seat should not go to a thirty-year Washington fixture who is serving himself; she argues Calvert has sabotaged the president's agenda and collaborated with Nancy Pelosi.
— Young Kim's campaign
She came to politics from running a small business rather than from a career in Congress, and says she will stand with the president.
— Young Kim's campaign
Arguments against
She is a "Trump traitor," "a liberal and a liar" who supported censuring the president over January 6 and was in lockstep with Nancy Pelosi.
— Ken Calvert's campaign, in advertising
She stressed her independence from the president as recently as 2018 and only adopted the Trump Republican label when it became politically useful.
— Ken Calvert, his opponent
What we couldn’t verify
A campaign website could not be confirmed; the positions above come from campaign advertising and reporting.
Calvert's camp has also claimed she voted to force taxpayers to fund gender transition surgery; her campaign calls the claim fictitious and it could not be verified in the material available.
Whether the two candidates differ on any substantial policy question.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Two sitting Republican members of Congress are on the ballot against each other. Proposition 50, which voters approved in November 2025, drew Ken Calvert — who represents the current 41st District — and Young Kim, who represents the current 40th, into the same seat. Both advanced from the June 2, 2026 top-two primary, Calvert with about 35% and Kim with about 21%, ahead of six other candidates, and no Democrat qualified for the general election. President Trump declined to endorse either during the primary. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and CBS Los Angeles.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A California ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at California Secretary of State.