"THERE'S SOMETHING HAPPENING HERE" 1966 Buffalo Springfield

What It Is, IS EXACTLY CLEAR!

Time for Change: Why Ken Calvert Must Go

I was both surprised and thrilled to read in the 4/20/25 edition of The Desert Sun that two Democratic candidates have stepped up to challenge my current congressman, Ken Calvert (R), in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.

The first to enter the race is Brandon Riker, a Coachella Valley resident, investment firm manager, and entrepreneur. Riker also has political roots, having worked as an organizer on the Obama campaign. The second is Tim Myers, a Hidden Hills resident and accomplished musician. Both candidates bring fresh perspectives and the promise of change, something this district sorely needs.

Why Replace Ken Calvert?

Ken Calvert is 72 years old and has held office since 1992. That’s 33 years in Congress. Over those decades, he's built a reputation not for visionary leadership or bold reform, but for scandal, obstruction, and personal enrichment.

Let’s start with the facts:

• Calvert was caught in a prostitution scandal —an incident he admitted to.

• Since entering Congress, his personal net worth has increased by as much as $20 million. This staggering financial growth occurred while earning a congressional salary of $174,000 annually. Surprised?

But the most troubling part isn't the personal scandal or wealth accumulation, it’s his record on the issues that matter the most to us, his constituents.

A Voting Record That Hurts His Constituents

Calvert has consistently voted against policies that benefit working families, women, and the most vulnerable in our communities:

• Reproductive Rights: Calvert has long opposed abortion rights. He’s voted to ban abortion nationwide, supported bills targeting doctors who perform abortions, and voted against the Women’s Health Protection Act.

• Access to Contraception: In 2022, he voted against the Right to Contraception Act and supported funding bills that cut access to contraception and cancer screenings for low-income Americans.

• Healthcare and Social Safety Nets: In 2025, Calvert supported a budget that would cut healthcare coverage and food assistance for millions, including many in his own district. He also backed slashing over $450 million from the Social Security Administration, risking delays in benefits and closures of local offices.

• Education and Law Enforcement: He supported proposals to cut funding for education and reduce support for federal law enforcement agencies, actions that could result in the loss of thousands of teaching and public service jobs.

All the while, his personal wealth continued to rise.

Out of Touch with Reality

Perhaps most bizarrely, Congressman Calvert has written me claiming, “I support the efforts of Elon Musk’s DOGE.” In the same letter, he insisted, “Elon Musk’s DOGE does not have access to any system that could change or reveal private information.” Those statements are inaccurate and alarming, and the second statement is a known lie. It demonstrates a serious disconnect from both cybersecurity realities, his constituency, and the responsibilities of public office.

The Bottom Line

Ken Calvert’s track record is clear: decades in office, growing personal wealth, and a legislative history that undermines the rights and well-being of the very people he was elected to serve.

We don’t need any more millionaires or billionaires who are itching for “more, more, more”, representing us.

We need leaders who are honest, forward-thinking, and in touch with the needs of their constituents. I’m encouraged by the new candidates stepping forward and hopeful that 2026 will mark the end of Calvert’s long and self-serving political career.