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California's 40th Congressional District election, 2026

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The boundaries of this district may change as a result of California Proposition 50, which voters will decide on November 5, 2025. Click here to read more about the mid-decade redistricting effort in California and other states.


2024
California's 40th Congressional District
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General election
Election details
Filing deadline: March 6, 2026
Primary: June 2, 2026
General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
Poll times:

7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting in California

Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Lean Republican
DDHQ and The Hill: Pending
Inside Elections: Lean Republican
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Lean Republican
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
See also
California's 40th Congressional District
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California elections, 2026
U.S. Congress elections, 2026
U.S. Senate elections, 2026
U.S. House elections, 2026

All U.S. House districts, including the 40th Congressional District of California, are holding elections in 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026. To learn more about other elections on the ballot, click here.

Candidates and election results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

  • Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
  • Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. House California District 40

The following candidates are running in the general election for U.S. House California District 40 on November 3, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Image of Paula Swift

Website

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "Dr. Paula Swift is a dedicated public servant and a proud wife and mother who has experienced firsthand both the promise and the pitfalls of the American Dream. Now, she is running for Congress in California’s 40th District to be a true representative for the people—someone who listens, understands, and takes action to create a better future for all. Raised with a value system based on hard work, faith, and service, Paula, a native Californian, put herself through school while raising a family. These academic achievements aren’t just credentials—they are the tools she uses daily to solve complex problems, build coalitions, and inspire others to lead with vision and compassion. Paula’s professional career spans two decades across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. As CEO of her consulting firm, she has worked with government agencies, educational institutions, small businesses, and corporate leaders to drive meaningful, measurable change. Her experience has taught her how systems work—and how to fix them when they don’t serve the people they were created for."


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


I will work to build a strong economy that puts working families first, where wages keep up with the cost of living, small businesses can thrive, and no one has to choose between paying rent or putting food on the table. That means fighting for good-paying jobs, affordable childcare, fair taxes, and better opportunities for all. Our economy should work for everyone, not just the wealthy few.


because the health of our planet affects all of us. We need cleaner air, safe water, and green spaces for our families and future generations. That means investing in renewable energy, reducing pollution, and protecting natural resources. I’m committed to practical solutions that support healthier communities and a more sustainable future.


I will fight to protect Social Security and Medicare because our seniors deserve the benefits they’ve earned through a lifetime of hard work. These programs ones we must keep. I’ll oppose any effort to cut or privatize them and work to strengthen them for future generations. No one should have to worry about affording healthcare or retirement after spending their lives contributing to our country.

Voting information

See also: Voting in California

Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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I will work to build a strong economy that puts working families first, where wages keep up with the cost of living, small businesses can thrive, and no one has to choose between paying rent or putting food on the table. That means fighting for good-paying jobs, affordable childcare, fair taxes, and better opportunities for all. Our economy should work for everyone, not just the wealthy few.

because the health of our planet affects all of us. We need cleaner air, safe water, and green spaces for our families and future generations. That means investing in renewable energy, reducing pollution, and protecting natural resources. I’m committed to practical solutions that support healthier communities and a more sustainable future.

I will fight to protect Social Security and Medicare because our seniors deserve the benefits they’ve earned through a lifetime of hard work. These programs ones we must keep. I’ll oppose any effort to cut or privatize them and work to strengthen them for future generations. No one should have to worry about affording healthcare or retirement after spending their lives contributing to our country.
I’m deeply passionate about public policies that protect and support children in foster care. Each year, over 20,000 young people age out of the system without a permanent family or support network, many facing homelessness, unemployment, or incarceration. I believe we must invest in wraparound services that support families before a crisis occurs, helping to prevent unnecessary placements. By strengthening family stability, we can reduce trauma and create better outcomes for children.
An elected official must lead with integrity, accountability, and a deep commitment to public service. It’s essential to listen with empathy, act with transparency, and make decisions based on what’s best for the people, not special interests. I believe a true leader stays connected to their community, shows up in difficult moments, and works tirelessly to deliver real, lasting change.
I bring a deep sense of purpose, integrity, and a lifelong commitment to service, qualities that I believe are essential for any successful officeholder. I listen first, lead with compassion, and never shy away from tough conversations or hard work. My background in community advocacy and strategic leadership has taught me how to bring people together, solve complex problems, and stay focused on what truly matters: delivering real results for the people I serve. I show up, I follow through, and I lead with both heart and accountability.
I want to leave a legacy of service, impact, and integrity. one rooted in the belief that government should be a force for good. I hope to be remembered as someone who truly listened, showed up when it mattered, and fought tirelessly to make life better for everyday families. No matter where I go in life, I will never forget that I am the daughter of parents who survived the Jim Crow South. Their strength, resilience, and values guide me every step of the way. I will always remain grounded in that truth, and I will always be accessible to the people I serve. If I can lead with compassion, inspire others to take action, and help bring about meaningful, lasting change, that will be a legacy I’m proud to leave behind.
The first historical event I clearly remember was the Iran hostage crisis. I was around 10 years old at the time, and I remember watching the news with my family and seeing the images of the American hostages and the nightly updates. Even at that young age, I could sense how serious it was. It was one of the first times I realized how connected we are to the rest of the world and how global events can deeply impact people here at home.
What was your first job? My first job was an after-school position during high school at Sears Roebuck in their customer service department. I assisted customers with appliance delivery updates, tracking orders, answering questions, and helping resolve any issues that came up. I was there for about two to three months, but it was a meaningful experience. It taught me the value of clear communication, patience, and the importance of listening, skills that have consistently built upon ever since.
One of my favorite books is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I first connected with it not just for its beautiful storytelling, but because I saw so much of my own life reflected in its pages. Like the March sisters, I grew up with three sisters, each of us with our own distinct personalities, dreams, and challenges, but bound by love, loyalty, and a strong family foundation. The book captures the power of sisterhood, resilience, and finding your voice, all of which have shaped who I am today. It’s a story that continues to inspire me to lead with heart, purpose, and authenticity.
One of the greatest struggles in my life was losing my son to gun violence. There are no words to fully capture that kind of pain. It changed me forever. But in the midst of that unimaginable loss, I found a deeper strength and sense of purpose. It built in me a perseverance and determination that fuels everything I do today. I carry my son’s memory with me in every room I walk into, and it’s part of why I’m so committed to creating safer communities, advocating for justice, and standing up for those who feel unseen or unheard. That pain became my power, and it drives me to serve with compassion, courage, and unwavering resolve.
I believe that while experience in government can be helpful, it’s not what qualifies someone to lead. In fact, what we’ve seen in Washington lately proves that too much time in politics can do more harm than good.

Many career politicians have become completely disconnected from the people they’re supposed to serve. They often prioritize party loyalty, special interests, or personal gain over real service. That’s not leadership, that’s self-preservation.

I’m running because I’ve spent my life working in the community, not climbing political ladders. I understand the struggles families face because I’ve lived them and worked alongside them. What we need now are leaders who are grounded in service, not status.
Over the next decade, I believe the United States’ greatest challenges will be addressing economic inequality, rebuilding trust in democratic institutions, and responding to the climate crisis. Too many families are working hard but still can’t afford basic necessities. At the same time, polarization and disinformation are eroding civic engagement and public trust. We also face urgent environmental threats that demand bold, collaborative solutions. Meeting these challenges will require honest leadership, real accountability, and a commitment to policies that put people first.
Yes, I believe compromise is both necessary and desirable for effective policymaking. In a diverse nation like ours, finding common ground is essential to making progress and passing legislation that serves the broadest number of people. However, at no time should compromise come at the expense of the rule of law, our Constitution, or the fundamental rights of any group. Productive compromise means working together with integrity, staying rooted in our values, and ensuring that all actions taken in government remain lawful, ethical, and just.


You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:

Campaign finance

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Young Kim Republican Party $3,294,450 $1,093,169 $3,938,780 As of June 30, 2025
Christina Gagnier Democratic Party $507,123 $200,551 $306,572 As of June 30, 2025
Joe Kerr Democratic Party $124,384 $112,546 $11,838 As of June 30, 2025
Nina Linh Democratic Party $146,394 $42,094 $104,300 As of June 30, 2025
Perry Meade Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Lisa Ramirez Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Paula Swift Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Esther Kim Varet Democratic Party $1,618,711 $309,711 $1,309,000 As of June 30, 2025
Maricar Payad American Independent Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Christian Ahmed No party preference $30 $0 $130 As of June 3, 2025

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.
*** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

  • Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
  • Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
  • Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[1]
  • Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[2][3][4]

Race ratings: California's 40th Congressional District election, 2026
Race trackerRace ratings
9/16/20259/9/20259/2/20258/26/2025
The Cook Political Report with Amy WalterLean RepublicanLean RepublicanLean RepublicanLean Republican
Decision Desk HQ and The HillPendingPendingPendingPending
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesLean RepublicanLean RepublicanLean RepublicanLean Republican
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallLean RepublicanLean RepublicanLean RepublicanLean Republican
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Ballot access

This section will contain information on ballot access related to this state's elections when it is available.

District history

The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2020.

2024

See also: California's 40th Congressional District election, 2024

California's 40th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 top-two primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 40

Incumbent Young Kim defeated Joe Kerr in the general election for U.S. House California District 40 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Young Kim
Young Kim (R)
 
55.3
 
211,998
Image of Joe Kerr
Joe Kerr (D)
 
44.7
 
171,637

Total votes: 383,635
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 40

Incumbent Young Kim and Joe Kerr defeated Allyson Damikolas in the primary for U.S. House California District 40 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Young Kim
Young Kim (R)
 
56.4
 
109,963
Image of Joe Kerr
Joe Kerr (D)
 
25.6
 
49,965
Image of Allyson Damikolas
Allyson Damikolas (D) Candidate Connection
 
18.0
 
35,153

Total votes: 195,081
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2022

See also: California's 40th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 40

Incumbent Young Kim defeated Asif Mahmood in the general election for U.S. House California District 40 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Young Kim
Young Kim (R)
 
56.8
 
161,589
Image of Asif Mahmood
Asif Mahmood (D)
 
43.2
 
122,722

Total votes: 284,311
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 40

Asif Mahmood and incumbent Young Kim defeated Greg Raths and Nicholas Taurus in the primary for U.S. House California District 40 on June 7, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Asif Mahmood
Asif Mahmood (D)
 
40.9
 
74,607
Image of Young Kim
Young Kim (R)
 
34.7
 
63,346
Image of Greg Raths
Greg Raths (R) Candidate Connection
 
23.2
 
42,404
Image of Nicholas Taurus
Nicholas Taurus (R)
 
1.2
 
2,193

Total votes: 182,550
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2020

See also: California's 40th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 40

Incumbent Lucille Roybal-Allard defeated C. Antonio Delgado in the general election for U.S. House California District 40 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Lucille Roybal-Allard
Lucille Roybal-Allard (D)
 
72.7
 
135,572
Image of C. Antonio Delgado
C. Antonio Delgado (R) Candidate Connection
 
27.3
 
50,809

Total votes: 186,381
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 40

The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 40 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Lucille Roybal-Allard
Lucille Roybal-Allard (D)
 
50.7
 
38,837
Image of C. Antonio Delgado
C. Antonio Delgado (R) Candidate Connection
 
13.7
 
10,467
Image of David Sanchez
David Sanchez (D)
 
13.4
 
10,256
Image of Anthony Felix Jr.
Anthony Felix Jr. (D) Candidate Connection
 
12.4
 
9,473
Image of Rodolfo Cortes Barragan
Rodolfo Cortes Barragan (G)
 
7.3
 
5,578
Michael Graham Jr. (American Independent Party of California)
 
2.6
 
1,967

Total votes: 76,578
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates



District analysis

This section will contain facts and figures related to this district's elections when those are available.

See also

California 2026 primaries 2026 U.S. Congress elections
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External links

Footnotes

  1. Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
  2. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
  3. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
  4. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018


Senators
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
Ami Bera (D)
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
Adam Gray (D)
District 14
District 15
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District 17
Ro Khanna (D)
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
Jim Costa (D)
District 22
District 23
District 24
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Raul Ruiz (D)
District 26
District 27
District 28
Judy Chu (D)
District 29
Luz Rivas (D)
District 30
District 31
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District 33
District 34
District 35
District 36
Ted Lieu (D)
District 37
District 38
District 39
District 40
Young Kim (R)
District 41
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Dave Min (D)
District 48
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District 52
Democratic Party (45)
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