Calvert Claims Orange County Seat After Kim Concedes
The 40th District race concluded with Calvert ahead by 7.2 points, capping a contentious Republican primary fight.
By Lorenzo Marshall ·
A decade of continuous service in the House of Representatives continues for Ken Calvert as he secures the 40th Congressional District. The seat spans parts of Orange and Riverside counties, stretching from Mission Viejo to Lake Elsinore.
The Associated Press called the race for Calvert on Monday, November 9. Young Kim, the incumbent representative from Anaheim Hills, acknowledged the loss in a post on X that evening. The California Secretary of State released final results on Tuesday, November 10, showing Calvert with 53.6% of the vote against Kim’s 46.4%.
Calvert declared victory on Thursday, November 5. The 73-year-old politician stated that he has lived in the area his entire life. He described serving his neighbors as a major honor and a responsibility he takes seriously. Kim, 64, highlighted her status as an immigrant who came to the United States for the American Dream. She said serving in Congress was one of the greatest honors of her life and wished Calvert the best.
The two candidates met in the general election after Proposition 50 redrew the district map. California voters approved the measure in 2025, aiming to create more Democratic-leaning seats. This change resulted in a district where 40% of voters are registered Republicans and 31% are registered Democrats. Both lawmakers advanced from the June primary after outperforming a field of Democratic opponents.
The intraparty contest was marked by high costs and sharp criticism. Calvert and Kim accused one another of corruption and questioned each other’s loyalty to President Donald Trump. Calvert’s win extends a career that began in 1993. He has never lost a reelection bid in his time on Capitol Hill.
