For the second election in a row gay Democratic attorney Will Rollins came close to ousting an entrenched Republican U.S. House member who since the 2021 redistricting process has represented the LGBTQ retirement and tourist mecca of Palm Springs. Alas, Rollins was unable to overcome a red wave that saw the GOP claim the White House and both chambers of Congress in the November 5 election.
With 87% of the vote counted in the contest for the 41st Congressional District seat, the Associated Press on Wednesday afternoon had called the race for conservative Congressmember Ken Calvert (R-Corona). His victory helped Republicans maintain their majority in the House.
According to a note the AP posted on its results page for the race, it determined Calvert would win "after revising down its turnout estimate based on information provided Wednesday afternoon by election officials in California. There were not enough votes left to count for Rollins to catch up."
Rollins conceded Wednesday evening after the latest results update boosted Calvert's lead to 10,066 votes. With 93% of the ballots counted, Calvert is leading with 51.5% of the unofficial returns.
"Congratulations to Congressman Calvert on his re-election," Rollins posted on X, along with a video message for his supporters. "The work is never really done in America, and I'm grateful to everyone who stood with this campaign."
Calvert had declared victory on Monday after the election prediction outfit Decision Desk HQ called the race for him. He issued a statement thanking his constituents for returning him to Capitol Hill.
"I'm honored that Riverside County voters have once again placed their trust in me to continue delivering results for them in Washington," stated Calvert.
Various outside political action committees had raised money off the close race, asking for donations in recent days to help with ballot curing programs to ensure voters' ballots that are flagged for various problems do not get rejected by the county registrar.
The emails all quoted Rollins as stating, "We still have a shot to flip this longtime Republican stronghold and retake the House."
In 2022, after the Coachella Valley was drawn into Calvert's seat, Rollins came close to ousting the long-term congressmember from office. While he fell short, Rollins proved to be a strong candidate and decided to run again, this time with strong backing from the Democratic Party.
He also raised a record amount in funds this year, giving him the resources to maintain a robust campaign. Both national and state-based LGBTQ groups, such as Equality California, funneled resources and volunteers into the race.
Not only was it done with an eye toward helping Democrats retake control of the House, it was also seen as one of the strongest chances to expand the number of LGBTQ members of the Golden State's congressional delegation. Currently at three Democrats, it will decrease to two since lesbian U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler opted not to seek a full term after being appointed to her seat following the 2023 death of longtime senator Dianne Feinstein.
Gay Congressmembers Mark Takano (D-Riverside) and Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach) both were reelected in last week's election. Gay Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Cupertino) lost his bid to join them, as he came up short in his race for an open South Bay House seat.
Three out progressive Democrats all also lost. They were queer college professor Jennifer Kim-Anh Tran, Ph.D., in the East Bay, and gay Southern California candidates Derek Marshall and David Kim.
Editor's note: This story has been updated due to the AP calling the race and Rolllins conceding he had lost.
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