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<\/p>\nNext month, voters in Congressional District 40, which stretches across eastern Orange County and into the Inland Empire, will decide which Republican will represent them in Congress: Young Kim vs. Ken Calvert.<\/p>\n
The battle for District 40 has taken a few interesting turns since last year, when California voters approved new congressional maps designed to favor Democrats and counter Trump’s redistricting efforts.<\/p>\n
Under the new maps, Calvert’s former 41st Congressional District was redrawn, shifting much of its territory away from the Inland Empire and toward Los Angeles County. The new district includes communities such as Downey, Bellflower, Lakewood and Santa Fe Springs.<\/p>\n
Calvert, who has served in Congress for more than three decades, quickly pivoted and decided to run in the newly drawn 40th District, setting up a contest with Kim, who represents the existing district.<\/p>\n
Despite Democrats’ hopes that Calvert and Kim would split the Republican vote, the two GOP candidates secured the top two spots in the June primary, advancing to the general election.<\/p>\n
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MAGA vs. MAGA?<\/p>\n
Calvert received nearly 35% of the vote in the June primary, compared with approximately 20% for Kim.<\/p>\n
Although the two candidates drew similar levels of support in Orange County, voters in the Riverside County portion of the district overwhelmingly backed Calvert.<\/p>\n
Kim, who was first elected to Congress in 2020 and has often positioned herself as a moderate Republican, has increasingly embraced her ties to Trump during the primary campaign, describing herself as a “Trump Republican” as she seeks to shore up support among conservative voters.<\/p>\n
But as the U.S. war with Iran drags on, growing concerns about the economy and affordability, issues many voters increasingly associate with President Trump, are prompting both candidates to adjust their campaign strategies.<\/p>\n
Distancing themselves from Trump?<\/p>\n