In the political arena surrounding the U.S. House elections, Democrats are banking on the star power of a pop rock musician to unseat a veteran Republican representative in a district east of Los Angeles. The district, which serves as a battleground, is crucial for Democrats as they aim to reclaim control of the House and slow down President Donald Trump’s policy agenda.
Tim Myers, noted for his Grammy-nominated stint as a bassist for the globally renowned band OneRepublic, declared on Thursday his intent to challenge Representative Ken Calvert. The race will take place in California’s 41st District, which extends from the suburbs of Los Angeles to the luxurious oasis of Palm Springs.
In his campaign launch video, Myers criticizes the incumbent, stating, “Ken Calvert has been in Washington for 30 years,” and asserting that “the status quo isn’t working.” This marks Myers’ first foray into political candidacy, as he positions himself as a fresh alternative in the traditionally Republican stronghold.
Christian Martinez, speaking for the Republican House campaign arm, dismissed Myers as emblematic of the “radical left,” describing him as “a Hollywood liberal trying to fake his way into Riverside County.” Despite this, Myers has deep roots in the area, having grown up in Corona—which lies largely within the district—though he now resides in Los Angeles County.
In the context of increasingly scarce competitive House races across the country, Democrats see an opportunity to flip Calvert’s closely contested district. The current Republican majority stands at a precarious 220-213, making every seat all the more critical.
As Congress and the executive branch sit under Republican leadership—and with Democrats having a steep hill to climb to regain the Senate in 2026—the California race takes on additional significance. Dems see a potential lever to counteract the Trump administration’s policies, including those on immigration and environmental matters.
Myers, known for his work as a producer, songwriter, and solo artist, presents himself as a novel force against one of the most entrenched members of the House. At 40 years old, Myers reflects on being in second grade when Calvert first secured his congressional seat, making him the longest-serving Republican in California’s delegation.
In a promotional video seemingly shot in a recording studio, Myers delves into his background, sharing memories of growing up as a pastor’s son in Corona, on the western periphery of the district. He describes navigating the music industry’s challenging landscape, which eventually led him to establish his own record label. Now residing in the upscale community of Hidden Hills in Los Angeles County, an area favored by artists and actors alike, Myers continues to assert his campaign’s momentum.
Highlighting his policy objections, Myers criticizes Trump’s policies for negatively impacting veterans and increasing consumer prices. “Our community is being priced out of homeownership, groceries are more expensive every week, and we’re constantly under threat from wildfires and rising crime,” Myers stated. “It’s time for a change.”
Even though Republicans hold a slight advantage in voter registration, less than 2 percent over Democrats, Calvert has withstood strong challenges in recent elections. In 2024, he won by approximately a 3-point margin, the same year Trump led the district by 6 points over Democrat Kamala Harris, who served as a U.S. Senator and California’s Attorney General.
The Democratic campaign wing has identified Calvert as a prime target for 2026, as he was in prior campaigns. By the first quarter of 2025, Calvert’s campaign had accumulated over $1.3 million in funds.
California is renowned as a liberal stronghold where Democrats wield substantial political power. They control all statewide offices, dominate the state legislature and congressional delegation, and enjoy a 2-1 advantage in voter registration over Republicans. However, Republicans still maintain influence in certain suburban areas of Southern California and vast rural regions, including the Central Valley’s agricultural basin.
In 2024, Democrats managed to claim three House seats from Republicans in California during what was a challenging national landscape for the party. With the upcoming elections, Democrats are eager to capitalize on any opportunity to regain footing in the House.