2026 Midterms · U.S. House · California Safe
California — 40th District
No Democratic nominee
Republican
Ken Calvert
Incumbent
Following mid-decade redistricting under Proposition 50, Republican incumbents Ken Calvert and Young Kim were drawn into California's 40th Congressional District and face each other in the 2026 general election. Both candidates defeated six other primary challengers on June 2, 2026, to advance to the top-two matchup. The contest hinges on incumbent track records, alignment with Donald Trump's America First agenda, and local standing in a newly redrawn district where Calvert previously represented 51% and Kim represented 35%. Major race rating outlets classify the seat as Solid or Safe Republican.
Border security and immigration
high salienceWhile both nominees condemn open borders and support Donald Trump's border agenda, Calvert highlights his authoring of E-Verify and specific legislative mandates, whereas Kim frames her stance as part of reversing Democratic administration policies.
Cost of living and tax policy
high salienceCalvert points to direct tax legislation such as quadrupling the SALT deduction, while Kim emphasizes her career-long opposition to Democratic tax increases.
Public safety and crime
high salienceCalvert advocates federal conditions on grant money for sanctuary jurisdictions and federal prosecutor interventions, whereas Kim emphasizes her legislative voting record in Sacramento against soft-on-crime policies.
Election integrity and voting laws
medium salienceCalvert takes an active leadership stance on federal voter ID laws and proof-of-citizenship mandates, whereas Kim has no detailed voting rights proposals in the sources.
Energy, environment, and disaster response
medium salienceCalvert outlines explicit opposition to state carbon regulations alongside support for forest management and water storage, while Kim's environmental platform is not detailed in the sources.
Defense and foreign policy
medium salienceCalvert leverages his role as Defense Appropriations Chair to articulate detailed military and war powers positions, whereas Kim frames national security within a broader America First framework.
Congressional ethics and reform
low salienceCalvert explicitly supports a congressional stock trading ban while opposing term limits, whereas Kim's positions on congressional reform are not documented in the sources.
Social media regulations
low salienceCalvert outlines a position favoring parental tools over federal social media age bans, whereas Kim has no documented position on the issue.