California's June 2 primary features congressional races radically changed by newly redrawn districts resulting from voters approving Proposition 50.Show Caption
California's June 2 primary features key congressional races impacted by newly redrawn districts.The state's "top-two" primary system means only the two highest vote-getters advance, regardless of party.Several competitive races are underway, including the contest covering San Francisco to replace retiring House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.Republican congressional incumbents, including David Valadao, Young Kim, and Ken Calvert face tough challenges in newly configured districts.Besides California's must-watch governor's race, several key primary congressional races are also at stake on June 2.Some of the state's 52 House contests are affected by Proposition 50, the voter-approved measure that redrew the state’s districts, creating as many as five new pickup opportunities for Democrats to offset Republican-led redistricting in states such as Texas.Adding another twist is California's nonpartisan "jungle primary" system in which all candidates are on the ballot, regardless of party affiliation, and only the top two vote-getters advance to the general election.The combination of a new map and a unique system means it's possible Republican incumbent David Valadao, who is seeking reelection, fails to even make it to November in his bid to hold his Central Valley district that's become one of the most competitive and expensive in California.Among the other most important races, San Francisco voters will decide whether Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener takes retiring House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi's seat, despite not getting her key endorsement.And former Republican-turned-independent Rep. Kevin Kiley hopes to win in a redrawn district in Northern California. Meanwhile, Republican Reps. Young Kim and Ken Calvert will face each other in a newly drawn district in Southern California.Wiener's race to lose for Pelosi's key congressional seat?With Pelosi retiring after nearly four decades in Congress, her San Francisco House seat is up for grabs. The question that will be answered in the primary is which fellow Democrat makes it to the general election against Wiener in the heavily Democratic district. Wiener has become widely known for successfully passing legislative measures, including housing expansion, LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare accessibility and climate change action.His opponents include the Pelosi-endorsed and labor-backed Connie Chan, a San Francisco supervisor, and newcomer Saikat Chakrabarti, a former tech executive who served as socialist New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s first chief of staff."This race is all about second place," said David McCuan, a veteran political science professor at Sonoma State University, alluding to Wiener leading comfortably in several polls. "Pelosi wanted to give Chan a boost. She was underperforming."Wiener has been "waiting in the wings for this opportunity," said Brian Sobel, a veteran political analyst in the San Francisco Bay Area. "He's always had an eye on working in DC."Kevin Kiley to be tested as independent in redrawn districtRep. 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 closely watched contests in a redrawn District 6 currently held by Democrat Ami Bera.The newly drawn District 6, spanning across the Sacramento area, is considered more competitive for Democrats than Kiley's previous seat in California’s 3rd Congressional District, once among the longest in the state. The redrawn District 6 is now very Democratic-heavy as a result of Prop 50."Kiley's a political opportunist, and that's his rationale for changing affiliations," McCuan said. "His move is a cynical play to stay relevant under Prop 50."A two-term lawmaker, the conservative Kiley faces a crowded field that includes one Republican and five prominent Democrats, among them former state Sen. Richard Pan, a pediatrician, and Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho.Kiley’s path to a top-two finish hinges on consolidating conservative and independent voters while hoping that Democrats split their vote."It's a risky plan, as Democrats will still tie him to President Trump and Republicans may not know if he is still their candidate," John McGlennon, professor of government at the College of William & Mary, told USA TODAY about Kiley's bid.Central Valley congressional seat shaping up as close contestThe 22nd District in California's Central Valley remains a key swing seat and ripe for takeover as it now leans slightly Democratic.Republican incumbent David Valadao is seeking reelection while facing two leading Democrats in one of the most competitive and expensive contests in the state.Valadao's Democratic challengers include Jasmeet Bains, a physician and State Assembly member for the 35th District. Bains has the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's endorsement as she emphasizes health care access and rural services.Meanwhile, newcomer and fellow Democrat Randy Villegas is a community college instructor and school board member from Visalia, a small agricultural town. Villegas, who is focused on labor issues and economic inequality, is endorsed by independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.Each of these top three candidates has raised more than $1 million, as more than $8 million has been raised overall in the race, according to the Federal Election Commission.Valladao could be in trouble in the primary, especially among Latino voters in the Valley who supported Trump two years ago, said Melissa Michelson, a political science professor at Menlo College in Silicon Valley."What we are seeing is some Latino voters turning away from Republicans not only because of immigration policies, but also the woeful economy," Michelson said. "Some of them will either stay home or vote Democratic, so I think Valladao might be done."Two veteran GOP lawmakers vie for spots in redrawn SoCal districtIn the redrawn Congressional District 40 in Southern California, veteran GOP lawmakers, incumbent Congresswoman Young Kim of Anaheim Hills and longtime Congressman Ken Calvert of Corona, are seeking reelection in a tough matchup.Kim, who first won office in 2020, initially thought she wasn't facing a major battle until Calvert announced he was running in District 40, not his realigned District 41, just hours after California voters approved Prop 50 last year.The new map revealed that District 40 will move out of the Inland Empire to cover much of Los Angeles County with mostly Democrat-leaning voters.Kim and Calvert have been battling to prove who's more loyal to President Donald Trump despite several polls showing the two candidates are in a statistical dead heat.Kim supports voter ID laws, adding that California should also require voters to present photo identification at polling places. Kim also supports immigration enforcement and a border wall.Calvert shares similar views and has survived an ethics complaint and two previous redistricting battles during his 33 years in Congress. He's hoping for one more run despite narrowly winning reelection in 2024, moving to a different district, and challenging a fellow Republican. Three Democrats are also running."Any Republican in a redrawn district in California is in danger because of how Trump is doing in the polls and how much money voters have in their pockets," Michelson said. "We'll see what happens."Contributing: Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY
