Overview
- The June 2 primary was the first test of Proposition 50’s new congressional map, and early analysis from the Public Policy Institute of California finds the redrawing has so far translated into about ten more Democratic-leaning House seats versus 2024.
- Incumbents scrambled after the map change: Rep. Kevin Kiley switched his registration to independent, ran in a different Sacramento-area seat, and was the top vote-getter in that district while Democrat Richard Pan narrowly advanced to November.
- The new 40th District produced a Republican-versus-Republican general election after Reps. Young Kim and Ken Calvert both advanced, leaving no Democrat on that November ballot.
- In the Central Valley’s redesigned 22nd District, Rep. David Valadao led the primary and progressive Randy Villegas finished second, a pairing the University of Virginia Center for Politics rates a toss-up for November.
- Turnout was unusually high for a midterm primary at about 34% of eligible voters, and the election has triggered fresh political fights over California’s election rules, including a drive to repeal the top-two primary and renewed questions about the Citizens Redistricting Commission’s future.