Ken Calvert, Will Rollins Headed For Another November Showdown

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Many consider California a linchpin in the Democrats' efforts to retake the U.S. House of Representatives.

Democrats need five seats to win control, and they hope to flip some California congressional districts held by Republicans. Golden State GOP Congressional Members John Duarte, Mike Garcia, Michelle Steel, and David Valadao are targeted.

Rep. Ken Calvert's 41st District is also eyed, and former federal prosecutor Will Rollins is a viable Democratic contender if the last election means anything.

Rollins challenged Calvert in a closely contested race for the 41st District during the November 2022 Consolidated General Election. Calvert bested Rollins by capturing 52% of ballots cast compared to Rollins' 48%.

Rollins challenged Calvert again this year. Democrat Anna Nevenic is also on the 2024 Presidential Primary Election ballot in the 41st Congressional District. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party, will advance to the November Presidential Election.

With 30% of precincts reporting Tuesday night in the 41st Congressional District, the Riverside County Registrar of Voters had Calvert with 46% of ballots cast compared to Rollins at 45%. Nevenic was trailing with just 9%.

The 41st District became less conservative after the latest redistricting, which added liberal Coachella Valley cities — Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Palm Desert and Indian Wells — along with Corona, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Norco and Wildomar in western Riverside County.

Calvert has represented parts of Riverside County in Congress since 1993, previously for the 44th, 43rd and 42nd districts. He is a lifelong Corona resident and former small business owner.

On Tuesday, his campaign office noted that during the 2022 primary and general elections, the congressman's vote totals improved as more late-arriving and election-day ballots were counted.

"We expect that trend to continue in this election, so there could be a fairly significant shift between the initial results announced after 8 p.m. and the final results in a few weeks."

Rollins said by phone Tuesday night that he looks forward to flipping the 41st District in a November showdown with Calvert.

"I think people are looking for a mainstream candidate versus an extremist candidate," he said, calling out Calvert's support for former President Donald Trump and MAGA rhetoric.

Looking ahead to November, Rollins said he will continue campaigning on the issues that brought him to March 5 and he will seek added endorsements from the other side of the aisle.

Calvert released a statement Tuesday night thanking his supporters while taking a dig at Rollins.

"I’m humbled by the incredible outpouring of support I’ve received in the early returns so far, which I am confident will only increase as ballots continue to be counted. Together, we’ve built a strong coalition of Republican, Democrat and Independent voters who are fed up with rising crime, chaos on our borders and the cost of living increasing every day," Calvert said. "I look forward to earning voters support again in November and showing why we cannot afford to elect another radical, soft-on-crime Democrat like Will Rollins."