Candidates for California's 40th Congressional District
2026 Primary Election — June 2, 2026
District: CA-40 was dramatically redrawn under Prop 50, blending portions of the old CA-40 (Young Kim) and CA-41 (Ken Calvert). It now spans from Mission Viejo in Orange County up into Woodcrest, Menifee, and Murrieta in Riverside County. Voter registration: 38% GOP, 33% Dem, 21% NPP — a solidly Republican district. Incumbents: TWO incumbents were drawn into the same district — Ken Calvert (R, formerly CA-41) and Young Kim (R, formerly CA-40). Trump would have won this district by 12 points in 2024. California uses a top-two primary: all candidates appear on one ballot; the top two vote-getters advance to November 3 regardless of party.[1]
Ken Calvert Rep Age 72
Incumbent U.S. Representative (CA-41) • Corona Incumbent — 17 Terms
Longest-serving Republican in California's congressional delegation. First elected in 1992. Corona native. Serves on House Appropriations Committee. Author of the E-Verify system. Represents 51% of new district. $5.2M raised.[1]
Top Issues / Platform
- Border security — expand E-Verify, enforce immigration laws
- Economy — lower taxes, reduce regulations, cut spending
- Water infrastructure — storage, forest management, wildfire prevention
- Veterans — expand VA services, streamline benefits
- Support Trump's America First agenda
Key Endorsements
- Americans for Tax Reform
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- National Association of Manufacturers
- National Federation of Independent Businesses
- $5.2M raised; $3.7M COH (Mar 2026)[2]
Strengths ▲
- 34-year incumbent with deep institutional relationships and committee power
- Represents majority of the new district (51%) — geographical advantage over Kim
- Strong fundraising — $5.2M war chest for the primary battle
Weaknesses ▼
- Facing another sitting Republican incumbent — costly, divisive primary
- Long tenure (since 1993) can be framed as a career politician
- Must introduce himself to voters in Orange County portion of new district
Young Kim Rep Age 63
Incumbent U.S. Representative (CA-40) • Fullerton Incumbent — 2 Terms
U.S. Representative for CA-40 since 2021. First Korean American woman elected to Congress (2020). Serves on Foreign Affairs, Financial Services, and China Strategy committees. Former state Assemblymember. Worked 20+ years for Rep. Ed Royce. $7.6M raised.[1]
Top Issues / Platform
- Border security — enforce laws, stop fentanyl, no amnesty
- Cost of living — fight inflation, lower gas prices
- National security — counter China, strengthen military
- Wildfire mitigation — BRUSH Fires Act, forest management
- Support Trump's America First agenda
Key Endorsements
- House GOP leadership
- Voted for One Big Beautiful Bill Act
- Co-sponsored bipartisan wildfire legislation
- $7.6M raised; $5.8M COH (Mar 2026)[4]
Strengths ▲
- Best-funded candidate in the race — $7.6M raised, $5.8M cash on hand
- Represents 35% of new district; strong name ID in Orange County
- Moderate Republican brand could appeal to suburban swing voters
Weaknesses ▼
- Calvert represents more of the new district (51% vs. 35%)
- Two Republican incumbents splitting the GOP vote risks letting a Democrat sneak into the top two
- Less seniority than Calvert; lacks Appropriations Committee power
Esther Kim Varet Dem Age 45
Art Gallery Owner / Entrepreneur • Trabuco Canyon Top Democratic Challenger
Ph.D. in art history from Columbia University. Founder of Various Small Fires contemporary art gallery. Positions herself as a millennial political outsider. Pledges bipartisan problem-solving. $2.7M raised — best-funded Democrat in race.[6]
Top Issues / Platform
- Reproductive rights — codify Roe v. Wade protections
- Climate change — science-based solutions, renewable energy
- Education — strengthen public schools, reduce student debt
- Immigration reform — DREAM Act, reduce green card backlogs
- Rebuild the middle class, campaign finance reform
Key Endorsements
- Self-funded majority of campaign
- Endorsed by NRDC for environmental work
- $2.7M raised; $1.1M COH (Mar 2026)[6]
Strengths ▲
- $2.7M raised — serious financial firepower to run districtwide TV and mail
- Only millennial candidate in a race dominated by older politicians
- Political outsider message resonates with voters tired of career politicians
Weaknesses ▼
- No elected experience — first run for public office
- Art gallery owner background may not connect with Inland Empire voters
- Running in a Republican-leaning district (Trump +12)
Joe Kerr Dem Age 62
Retired Fire Captain / Union Leader • Orange County Labor-Backed Democrat
34-year fire captain with Orange County Fire Authority. Former president of OC Professional Firefighters Association (17 years). Ran for Congress in 2024 (lost to Kim). Previously ran for state Senate and OC Board of Supervisors. $223K raised.[8]
Top Issues / Platform
- Affordability — lower everyday costs, create good-paying jobs
- Public safety — wildfire detection tech, support first responders
- Healthcare — protect reproductive freedom, lower costs
- Immigration — expand courts, protect Dreamers, smart enforcement
- Climate-resilient infrastructure, disaster relief
Key Endorsements
- Orange County Professional Firefighters
- California Professional Firefighters
- Labor unions
- $223K raised; $17K COH (Mar 2026)[8]
Strengths ▲
- Previously ran in CA-40 (2024) — has existing donor base and name ID
- Strong labor and first responder support — built-in GOTV network
- Centrist message could appeal to crossover voters in GOP-leaning district
Weaknesses ▼
- Lost to Kim in 2024 by 11 points — uphill battle
- Outraised 10-to-1 by Varet among Democrats
- Third run in four years — fatigue factor with donors and voters
Lisa Ramirez Dem Age 44
Immigration Attorney • Orange County Democratic Challenger
Owner and partner of U.S. Immigration Law Group. Attended Loyola Law School. Focuses campaign on affordability, immigration reform, climate stewardship, and women's health. $392K raised.[9]
Top Issues / Platform
- Affordability — cost of living, housing, healthcare costs
- Immigration reform — path to citizenship for Dreamers
- Climate stewardship — restore EPA, clean energy innovation
- Women's health — protect reproductive rights
- Strengthen public education and economic opportunity
Key Endorsements
- Grassroots campaign
- $392K raised; $63K COH (Mar 2026)[9]
Strengths ▲
- Second-best funded Democrat with $392K raised
- Immigration expertise provides differentiated platform in crowded Dem field
- Latina candidate could drive turnout in growing Hispanic areas of district
Weaknesses ▼
- First run for public office — no elected experience
- Outraised and outspent by Varet among Democrats
- Low name ID across the sprawling district
Nina Linh NPP Age 48
Nonprofit Executive Director • Orange County Independent Candidate
Founder of WonderSeed Foundation, using neuroscience and tech to help at-risk youth. Vietnamese refugee. Former TV producer. Running as an independent, rejecting both parties. $267K raised. Only independent in the race.[10]
Top Issues / Platform
- Economic stability — lower costs for families
- Mental health — expand access, youth mental health
- Public education — strengthen public schools
- Immigration — orderly, lawful system with backlog solutions
- Protect Social Security and Medicare, reform insurance
Key Endorsements
- Grassroots, independent campaign
- Completed Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey
- $267K raised; $109K COH (Mar 2026)[10]
Strengths ▲
- Compelling personal story as a Vietnamese refugee
- Independent label could attract voters tired of partisan gridlock
- $267K is meaningful for a grassroots independent campaign
Weaknesses ▼
- No party infrastructure behind her — limited GOTV resources
- Low name ID; independent candidates rarely break through in CA top-two
- Moderate positioning may struggle to differentiate from large field
Claude Keissieh Dem
Electrical Engineer • Orange County Democratic Challenger
Electrical engineer running for Congress for the first time. Advocates for practical problem-solving and common-sense governance. $34K raised.[11]
Top Issues / Platform
- Economy — lower costs for working families
- Healthcare — protect access, reduce costs
- Good governance — bipartisanship, accountability
Key Endorsements
- Grassroots campaign
- $34K raised; $10 COH (Mar 2026)[11]
Strengths ▲
- Engineering background offers a problem-solving perspective
- Fresh-face candidate with no political baggage
Weaknesses ▼
- First run for any office — no elected experience or name ID
- Minimal fundraising ($34K) limits ability to reach voters districtwide
- Little-known in a crowded 10-candidate field
Race Summary & Outlook
CA-40 is one of the most unusual races in the country — the only California district where two sitting incumbents face off in the same primary. Under Prop 50, parts of the old CA-40 (Young Kim) and CA-41 (Ken Calvert) were merged into a new Republican-leaning district stretching from Mission Viejo to Menifee.[1]
Key dynamics among the candidates:
- Ken Calvert (72, $5.2M) represents 51% of the new district and has 34 years of seniority, including a seat on Appropriations.
- Young Kim (63, $7.6M) is the best-funded candidate and represents 35% of the district with strong OC ties.
- The Calvert vs. Kim GOP primary battle is the central drama — both are spending heavily to win the Republican base.
- Esther Kim Varet (45, $2.7M) leads the Democratic field as a self-funding millennial outsider, followed by Lisa Ramirez ($392K), Joe Kerr ($223K), and Claude Keissieh ($34K).
- Nina Linh ($267K) is the sole independent candidate positioning herself as a centrist alternative.
- The biggest risk for Republicans is that Calvert and Kim split the GOP vote, allowing two Democrats (or a Democrat and one Republican) to claim the top-two slots — though the district's Trump +12 lean makes that unlikely.
- Latest polls show Calvert and Kim leading the field, with Varet and Kerr in the next tier, and a significant undecided bloc.
Likely outcome: Calvert and Kim are expected to take the top two spots, setting up an expensive all-Republican general election. If one falters, Varet ($2.7M) has the resources to capitalize. The winner in November will be heavily favored to hold the seat for the GOP.
Primary: June 2, 2026 — General: November 3, 2026