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“For 30 years, Ken Calvert has been fighting exclusively for himself and eroding public trust in our institutions instead of serving the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley’s best interests. From earning the title of ‘one of the most corrupt politicians in Congress’ to betraying his sacred oath of office and aligning himself with insurrectionists who assaulted our democracy, Calvert has disgraced the office he holds. Will Rollins, a former prosecutor who has spent his career taking on threats to our country and democracy, is ready to hold Calvert to account. Rollins will put an end to Calvert’s dangerous extremism and corruption, and deliver the results and resources that families in California’s 41st Congressional District have long been denied,” said DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene.
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To: Interested Parties
From: Dan Gottlieb
Date: March 6, 2024
Subject: The Case Against Ken Calvert
In the 2022 midterms, Ken Calvert found himself vulnerable as he finally faced accountability for his legacy of corruption and far-right positions in the form of Will Rollins – a former federal prosecutor and LGBTQ challenger who significantly overperformed the fundamentals of the district and came closer to defeating the 30-year incumbent than any candidate has in over a decade. Now, Rollins is back with the experience and resources to finish the job.
From voting for a national abortion ban to opposing certifying the election after January 6th and spewing homophobic rhetoric, MAGA politician Ken Calvert has shown time and time again that he does not have Riverside County’s priorities in mind. Calvert’s out-of-touch record in public office is only matched by his self-serving approach to politics – named one of the most corrupt members of Congress over allegations he directed federal dollars to benefit his own real estate investments.
Will Rollins’ record and experience make him tailor-made to represent this district: a former federal prosecutor who has spent his career going after the Sinaloa Cartel and MS13 in order to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the country and strengthen our border, helping the FBI respond to threats from terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, and fighting to keep Inland Empire and Coachella Valley residents safe. Rollins will use his law enforcement background in Congress to fight against extremism, take on corporate price-gougers that are making life more expensive for Southern Californians, and deliver real solutions for his community.
CALVERT HAS HELPED HIMSELF INSTEAD OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY FOR 30+ YEARS
As a politician who has spent decades benefiting himself instead of helping Riverside County families, it’s no wonder Ken Calvert was named one of the most corrupt members of Congress. In federal office, Calvert has directed public tax dollars to projects near his own property investments and pushed through earmarks that preceded substantial personal profit.
In the meantime, Calvert has not-so-coincidentally increased his net worth by as much as $20 million since entering Congress more than 30 years ago. And he’s taken advantage of business partners nearly as much as families in California’s 41st District along the way – getting himself tied up in illegal land deals and formal lawsuits for ‘fraud and deceit.’
While Calvert lined his pockets on taxpayers’ dime, he couldn’t stop himself from voting against projects that would have helped Riverside County families, repaired suburban roads, and created jobs across the district.
TOO EXTREME, DANGEROUS, AND BIGOTED FOR RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Unfortunately, Calvert is just as extreme as he is unethical. Before Roe v. Wade fell, he paved the way for a national abortion ban with no exceptions for rape, incest, or threat to a woman’s life by signing an amicus brief that urged the overturning of Roe. Calvert also voted for an amendment that would have functionally ended access to IVF treatments for service members.
After the January 6th insurrection, as the majority of Californians reacted with horror, Ken Calvert downplayed the violent day, calling for the charges to be dropped against the individuals who stormed our Capitol and voting against certifying the 2020 election. Just this year, Calvert voted to defund federal law enforcement agencies with extreme partisan budget cuts. By contrast, Will Rollins prosecuted insurrectionists – holding those who compromised our democracy and safety to account. It’s one of many damning contrasts voters in Riverside County will see – and one of many reasons they’ll reject Calvert’s extremism at the ballot box this November.
For decades, Calvert has also weaponized his office to go after LGBTQ rights and built one of the most homophobic legislative records in Congress: supporting the federal Defense of Marriage Act, voting against providing LGBTQ people with comprehensive protections against discrimination, and seeking to ban same-sex marriage in California. Just last year, Calvert voted to remove funding for LGBTQ community centers from a government funding bill. With Palm Springs – home to one of the nation’s largest LGBTQ communities – now drawn into Calvert’s district, the Congressman will struggle to defend his bigoted record.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
CBS News Los Angeles: How a pivotal Inland Empire election could shape the House of Representatives. [CBS News Los Angeles, 2/23/23]
“It could be the race that decides whether Republicans or Democrats control the US House in the fall.”
“Rollins bills himself as a public servant and former prosecutor focused on growing the economy while protecting the environment and reforming the criminal justice system. He says he’s not soft on crime. He’s just smart about it.”
“Both candidates say a lot will ride on how they appeal to the large chunk of independent voters in the district. ‘It’s very, very competitive for the Democrats, and Ken Calvert is going to have to work very hard to hold on,’ said Jack Pitney, a professor of politics at Claremont McKenna College.”
The Press-Enterprise: This Inland congressional district could help decide control of Congress. [The Press-Enterprise, 1/21/24]
“In the past, Calvert has voted against abortion rights and legislation affirming LGBTQ rights. Now he’s campaigning in a district with a robust LGBTQ community in Palm Springs and an openly gay candidate in Rollins. Last year, Calvert said he opposes a nationwide abortion ban and the right of LGBTQ people to marry was settled by the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down same-sex marriage bans.”
Newsweek: Republicans Face ‘Ticking Time Bomb’ in Key House Race. [Newsweek, 7/26/23]
“A California congressional race has been labeled as a “ticking time bomb” by one prominent elections expert amid Republicans’ uphill effort to retain control of the House in 2024. Ken Calvert—a longtime Republican congressman from a once-safely Republican district in California’s Riverside County—is facing the challenge of his career next November against a formidable Democratic opponent in a race defined by shifting demographics and LGBTQ+ rights.”
Washington Blade: As Calvert joins House GOP attacks on LGBT centers, Will Rollins is ready to take his seat. [Washington Blade, 7/21/23]
“Last month, Calvert, who chairs the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, was criticized after passing an amendment to a military spending bill that, among other provisions, proscribes “any discriminatory action against a person, wholly or partially, on the basis that such person speaks, or acts, in accordance with a sincerely held religious belief, or moral conviction, that marriage is, or should be recognized as, a union of one man and one woman.” In practice, Democrats on the Committee argued, this could provide a pathway for someone who is responsible for the disbursement of survivor benefits to deny them to gay and lesbian beneficiaries. Showing voters the contrast between Calvert’s extreme positions on matters like LGBTQ rights proved successful in courting more support for his campaign last year, Rollins said, but these issues are galvanizing not just for LGBTQ communities and their straight allies in bluer areas like Palm Springs.”
PATH TO VICTORY
The electorate in California’s 41st Congressional District continues to trend towards Democrats and away from Republicans – with the GOP losing almost 5 points in their voter registration share since 2016, and Democratic registration shares picking up almost 4 points in the same period. Calvert’s far-right record now leaves him vulnerable as most of the largest cities in the new congressional district voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. When comparing the president’s support to congressional candidates’ support across California, Rollins overperformed every congressional challenger in the state last cycle – and came closer to beating Calvert than anyone has in over a decade.
The demographic shifts and redistricting dynamics in the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley aren’t the only factors bolstering Will Rollins’ rematch against Calvert. The biggest asset in California’s 41st is the Democratic candidate himself – and the robust campaign operation, coalition of support, and unparalleled fundraising apparatus he’s built. With even more resources at his disposal – having already raised more this cycle than the entire last election, and a war chest larger than any challenger has ever compiled in an off-year in California history – he’ll finish the job in 2024. The contrast in this race between Will Rollins and Ken Calvert, both personally and politically, could not be clearer – and that’s why Riverside County families will reject Calvert’s record of dangerous extremism and self-dealing in favor of Rollins this November. |
