NEW: Democrats Locked Out Of U.S. House Race As Two Republicans Advance
Two Republican candidates are projected to move on to the general election in California’s 40th Congressional District, leaving Democrats out of the November contest and ensuring the seat will remain in Republican hands. The result follows several days of vote counting and reflects the dynamics of California’s unique primary system.
Based on projections from Decision Desk HQ, incumbent U.S. Representatives Ken Calvert and Young Kim secured the top two positions in the primary. Both lawmakers sought reelection after redistricting changes placed them within the same congressional district, setting up a rare contest between two sitting members of Congress.
With approximately 73 percent of ballots counted, Calvert led the field with about 35.7 percent of the vote, totaling 57,761 ballots. Kim followed with roughly 21.1 percent, or 34,189 votes. Democrat Esther Kim-Varet finished third with 16.2 percent, while Democrat Lisa Ramirez received about 13.5 percent.
California operates under a top-two primary system, in which all candidates appear on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation. The two candidates receiving the highest vote totals advance to the general election, even if they represent the same political party.
The newly configured 40th Congressional District was created through Proposition 50, a redistricting measure approved in 2025 that reshaped several congressional boundaries across California. The district now includes portions of Orange and Riverside counties, covering communities such as Rancho Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo, Villa Park, Menifee, and Murrieta.
Calvert, who has represented parts of the Inland Empire since the 1990s, and Kim, who has served in Congress since 2021, were brought into the same district by the new map. Their advancement means voters will choose between two Republican candidates in November, with no Democratic candidate appearing on the general-election ballot.
Political analysts have noted that the district carries a Republican advantage. According to the Cook Political Report’s Partisan Voting Index, the redesigned district is rated R+6 based on recent election results. While broader political conditions could have influenced the race in a traditional two-party general election, the primary outcome removes the district from the list of potential Democratic pickup opportunities this year.
