Incumbent Ken Calvert will begin his fourth decade in Washington as the longest serving Republican in the California congressional delegation, coming from behind to win a tight contest with political newcomer and former federal prosecutor, Will Rollins.
With votes still being counted, as of Thursday midday, Calvert led Rollins by 6,286 votes, representing 51.58% of the total in the newly drawn 41st district that now stretches east to Palm Springs.
In his 3rd straight victory over challenger Aja Smith, Incumbent Mark Takano has been elected to a 6th term now representing the new 39th district.
In the Riverside County Supervisor’s District 5 race, the only contest for the county board, Moreno Valley Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez has led one-term incumbent Jeff Hewitt throughout. But as of Thursday midday, the race has not been called, conceded nor victory claimed.
Gutierrez was holding a lead of 7,098 votes, 54.34% of the vote.
First elected in 1992, the year Bill Clinton won the presidency for the first time, this was the closest challenge to Calvert since he defeated Corona educator Bill Hedrick with 51.2% in 2008.
He has won by comfortable amounts in all other elections aside from the first, when he eked out a 519 vote victory over Takano.
“It’s clear that this district, like our country, is narrowly divided
on a partisan basis,” Calvert said. “As I represent a new district with new communities, I remain
committed to working towards solutions with anyone who is interested in addressing the needs of our region.”