Ten candidates are running in the top-two primary for California's 40th Congressional District on June 2, 2026. Incumbent Ken Calvert (R), incumbent Young Kim (R), Joe Kerr (D), and Esther Kim Varet (D) lead in campaign fundraising and polling ahead of the election.

Currently, Calvert represents California's 41st Congressional District, and Kim represents the 40th District. The two incumbents were drawn into the same district as a result of Proposition 50, a redistricting amendment voters approved in November 2025. According to ABC7's Josh Haskell, Calvert represents 51% of the new district and Kim represents 35% of the new district. Based on 2024 presidential results, the new district is 10 percentage points more Republican than the old district.

Calvert was first elected to Congress in 1992. He earned his associate's degree from Chaffey College and his bachelor's degree from San Diego State University. Before his election to Congress, Calvert was a small business owner in the restaurant and real estate industries.

Calvert is running on his record. His campaign website says, "Ken’s legislative work has received top ratings from the Americans for Tax Reform, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Businesses, National Association of Manufacturers, and the 60 Plus Association" and highlighted his legislation creating the E-Verify system to verify the legal status of employees, securing federal funding for transportation and environmental projects, and constituent services.

Kim was first elected to Congress in 2022. She earned her bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Southern California. She worked as a business owner, financial analyst, and staff for then-U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R). She represented District 65 of the California State Assembly from 2014-2016.

Kim is running on her record. Her campaign website says, "In Congress, I fight everyday to ensure President Trump has allies to undo the disastrous Joe Biden-Nancy Pelosi agenda that caused skyrocketing prices, rising crime, open the border, and a political class that does the bidding of the swamp instead of fighting for working families."

Kerr was a fire captain and Orange County Professional Firefighters Association president. On his campaign website, Kerr describes himself as "a firefighter, labor leader, and problem-solver who has spent my career protecting communities and fighting for working families."

Kerr says he is running for Congress "to take on the challenges that determine whether families can afford to live and thrive in our communities: lowering everyday costs, creating good-paying jobs, strengthening public safety, protecting healthcare and reproductive freedom, and ensuring government works for the people it serves."

Varet earned her bachelor's degree from Yale University and her master's degree and doctorate from Columbia University, each in art history. She owns the contemporary art gallery Various Small Fires.

Varet says she is running "because we can’t keep electing the same cynical career politicians and expecting different results. I’m a working mom, an entrepreneur, and a problem solver. I don’t just talk — I roll up my sleeves and get things done. And I’m not afraid to fight hard for the issues that matter."

California uses a top-two primary system, in which all candidates appear on the same ballot. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, move on to the general election.