California’s June 2 primary election will feature fundamental changes to Congressional elections as a result of voters’ approval of Proposition 50, which will result in new redistricting.
Nancy Pelosi to retire after 38 years in Congress
Nancy Pelosi, a member of the California House of Representatives and former Speaker of the House, is retiring after 38 years in Congress.
- California’s June 2 primary will feature key legislative races affected by newly redistricted districts.
- The state’s “top two” primary system means only the top two vote-getters advance, regardless of party.
- Several competitions are underway, including one targeting San Francisco to replace retiring Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi.
- Republican incumbents, including David Valadao, Young Kim and Ken Calvert, face tough challenges in newly created districts.
In addition to California’s closely watched gubernatorial race, several key congressional primaries will also be at stake on June 2nd.
Some of the state’s 52 House races are affected by Prop. 50, a voter-approved measure that redistricts the state’s electoral districts, creating up to five new pickup opportunities for Democrats to offset Republican-led redistricting in states like Texas.
A further twist is California’s nonpartisan “jungle primary” system, in which all candidates regardless of party affiliation are on the ballot, with only the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election.
The combination of new maps and a unique system means Republican incumbent David Valadao, who is seeking re-election, may not be able to make it in time to hold on to the Central Valley district, which has become one of California’s most competitive and expensive districts.
Among the other most important races, San Francisco voters will decide whether Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener will take the seat held by outgoing House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, despite failing to win any significant support.
Also, Rep. Kevin Kiley, a former Republican turned independent, is hoping to win in a redrawn district in Northern California. Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Young Kim and Rep. Ken Calvert will face off in a newly drawn district in Southern California.
Will Weiner lose the race for Pelosi’s key seat?
Her San Francisco House seat is up for grabs now that Pelosi has retired after nearly 40 years in Congress. The question to be answered in the primary is which Democrats will run in the general election against Wiener in heavily Democratic districts. Wiener has become widely known for its success in passing legislation related to housing expansion, LGBTQ+ rights, health care access, and climate action.
Her opponents include San Francisco City Supervisor Connie Chung, who Pelosi supports and has the backing of the Labor Party, and newcomer Saikat Chakrabarti, a former tech executive who served as socialist New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s first chief of staff.
“This race is all about second place,” said David McCune, a veteran political science professor at Sonoma State University, hinting that some polls show Weiner comfortably ahead. “Pelosi wanted to boost Chan. She was underperforming.”
Brian Sobel, a veteran political analyst in the San Francisco Bay Area, said Mr. Weiner “has been waiting patiently for this opportunity.” “He always had his eye on working in Washington, D.C.”
Kevin Kiley to test as independent in redrawn district
Rep. Kevin Kiley, who left the Republican Party in March and is now running as an independent while continuing to caucus with House Republicans, faces one of the cycle’s higher-profile races in the redrawn 6th District, currently held by Democrat Ami Bera.
The newly drawn 6th District, which spans the Sacramento area, is considered more competitive for Democrats than the seat Kiley previously held in California’s 3rd Congressional District, once one of the state’s longest districts. The redrawn District 6 is now heavily Democratic as a result of Proposition 50.
“Kylie is a political opportunist and that’s the basis for his change of affiliation,” McCune said. “His move is a cynical move to remain relevant under Proposition 50.”
Kiley, a conservative two-term lawmaker, faces a crowded field that includes one Republican and five prominent Democrats, including former state senator and pediatrician Richard Pan and Sacramento County District Attorney Tien Ho.
Kiley’s path to a top-two finish will depend on unifying conservative and independent voters, while hoping Democrats will split the vote.
John McGlennon, a government professor at the College of William and Mary, told USA TODAY of Kiley’s candidacy, “This is a risky plan because Democrats are still going to associate him with President Trump and Republicans may not know if he’s still their candidate.”
Central Valley Congressional seat will be close
The 22nd Congressional District in California’s Central Valley remains a key district, currently leaning slightly Democratic, and ripe for takeover.
Republican incumbent David Valadao is seeking re-election and is facing two leading Democrats in one of the most competitive and expensive races in the state.
Valadao’s Democratic challengers include Jasmeet Bains, a physician and state representative from the 35th District. Baines focuses on health care access and rural services and has the backing of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Meanwhile, newcomer Randy Villegas, a fellow Democrat, is a community college instructor and school board member from the small farming city of Visalia. Villegas focuses on labor issues and economic inequality, and is supported by independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
The top three candidates each raised more than $1 million, and their campaigns overall raised more than $8 million, according to the Federal Election Commission.
Melissa Michelson, a political science professor at Silicon Valley’s Menlo College, said Validao could suffer in the primary, especially among the Valley’s Latino voters who supported Trump two years ago.
“What we’re seeing is some Latino voters are turning away from the Republican Party, not just because of immigration policy but because of the dire economy,” Michelson said. “Some of them will stay home or vote Democratic, so I think Balidao is over.”
Two veteran Republicans will compete in rezoned Southern California districts
In Southern California’s redrawn 40th Congressional District, veteran Republican incumbent Rep. Young Kim (Anaheim Hills) and longtime congressman Ken Calvert (Corona) are up for re-election in a tough battle.
Kim, who was first elected president in 2020, initially thought he didn’t face a major fight until Calvert announced he would run from the 40th District instead of the redistricted 41st district, hours after California voters approved Proposition 50 last year.
The new map reveals that the 40th District will move away from the Inland Empire and cover much of Los Angeles County, which is home to primarily Democratic voters.
Kim and Calvert are fighting to prove who is more loyal to President Donald Trump, even though some polls show the two candidates are statistically in a close race.
Kim supports voter ID laws, adding that California should also require voters to show a photo ID at polling places. Kim also supports immigration enforcement and a border wall.
Calvert shares similar views, having weathered ethics charges and two previous redistricting battles during his 33 years in Congress. He narrowly won re-election in 2024, and despite moving to a different district and challenging a fellow Republican, he hopes to win one more time. There are also three Democratic candidates running.
“Any Republican in California’s redistricting race is at risk because of President Trump’s poll numbers and the deep pockets of voters,” Michelson said. “Let’s see what happens.”
Contributor: Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY
