In conclusion
The most recent Democrat to run against Republican Representative Young Kim in a district that could be redder due to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s gerrymander is an immigration lawyer who defended an Orange County father of three military boys who was arrested by ICE.
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Since 2020, Democrats have hoped to unseat Republican Representative Young Kim from her Orange County district, but they have watched as their candidates lose by nearly double digits.
However, it hasn’t stopped immigration lawyer Lisa Ramirez, who gained notoriety for assisting in the release of an imprisoned immigrant father of three U.S. Marine sons, from entering the 2026 election.
Ramirez, who is the daughter of an immigrant mother, stated that her primary motivations for running were President Donald Trump’s disrespect for the law and court rulings, the wave of mass detentions, and the absence of due process.
Before her campaign kickoff today, Ramirez told CalMatters that, to her, the contest has been about defending our democracy, our Constitution, and ultimately my neighborhood.
Kim is one of four incumbent congressional Republicans from California whose districts have been deemed somewhat competitive by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.
Ramirez cites her decades of lobbying, legal assistance, and pro bono work as evidence that she has the public service background to serve Orange County in Congress, despite the fact that she has never held public office. She claimed that it was obvious that she would defend Narciso Barranco, the Orange County landscaper whose June arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement went viral after being directed to her office by a number of community organizations and government leaders.
Ramirez remarked, “I kind of like the underdog, if you will.” I’ve put a lot of effort into building a reputation as the person to turn to when the stakes are high and the case is particularly difficult.
Ramirez joins a crowded Democratic field that includes Joe Kerr, Kim’s most recent opponent who lost the seat by more than 10 percentage points last year, self-funded art dealer Esther Kim Varet, and former Chino Valley Unified School District Board member Christina Gagnier.
Since the 2020 census, when California’s 40th District was transformed from a leftist stronghold to a purple swing district, Kim has shown to be a dangerous opponent for Democratic contenders. Her eventual opponent will have a difficult time winning because she has around $4 million in cash on hand. And that was before Governor Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plan, which would create an even more red seat for the 40th District if voters accept it in a special election that is expected to be held on November 4.
Regardless of what voters decide on the maps, Ramirez says she intends to run.
She reaffirmed her commitment to flipping the seat and helping to change the House. I want to win this campaign, and we will do it no matter where we are in the world.
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