Orphaned California voters face strategic dilemma in November House contests

In California’s newly drawn 40th Congressional District, the top-two primary produced Republican incumbent Ken Calvert and fellow Republican Young Kim as the only general-election contenders, sidelining Democratic hopeful Esther Kim Varet. Varet urges her supporters to back Kim to force higher spending and potentially unseat Calvert, who has served for 33 years. Researchers warn that voters without a party candidate often abstain or choose based on superficial traits like gender or local ties, rather than seeking a moderate option.

Similar intraparty matchups are unfolding in districts such as the 4th, where veteran Democrat Mike Thompson faces progressive challenger Eric Jones, and the 7th, where Doris Matsui contests progressive Mai Vang. Party officials from both the Republican National Committee and the California Democratic Party have largely stayed out of these internal contests, focusing instead on races where their parties can win or hold seats.