Former OneRepublic Bassist Aims to Unseat Long-Serving Republican in California House Race

In a bid to regain control of the House of Representatives and curb President Donald Trump’s agenda, Democrats are hoping that pop rock star power can unseat a long-serving Republican east of Los Angeles, as per The AP.

Tim Myers, a Grammy-nominated former bassist for international sensation OneRepublic, has announced his candidacy to challenge Rep. Ken Calvert in California’s battleground 41st District. The district encompasses parts of Riverside County, stretching from the Los Angeles suburbs to the popular resort destination of Palm Springs.

The 41st District is considered one of the Democrats’ best opportunities to gain ground in the House, where Republicans currently hold a fragile 220-213 majority. With the White House and Congress under Republican control, and Democrats facing an uphill battle to take the Senate in 2026, this California contest will carry significant weight as Democrats aim to establish a counterweight to the Trump administration on key issues like immigration and environmental policy.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) was quick to respond to Myers’ announcement. While Myers grew up in Corona, a city largely within the 41st District, he currently resides in the exclusive Los Angeles County enclave of Hidden Hills.

Myers, a prolific producer, songwriter, and solo artist, is positioning himself as a change agent against Calvert, the longest-serving Republican in California’s congressional delegation. Myers, 40, pointed out that he was in second grade when Calvert was first elected in 1992.

In his campaign video, seemingly filmed in a recording studio, Myers recounts his upbringing as a pastor’s son in Corona and details his experiences navigating the challenges of the music industry, ultimately leading him to establish his own record label. He also criticizes Trump’s policies, arguing that they will harm veterans and increase consumer prices.

The 41st District has a slim Republican registration advantage – less than 2 points over Democrats. Calvert secured victory in 2024 by approximately a 3-point margin, the same year Trump carried the district by 6 points over Democrat Kamala Harris, the former California US senator and attorney general.

Despite California’s reputation as a liberal stronghold – where Democrats hold every statewide office, dominate the Legislature and congressional delegation, and outnumber registered Republicans by a 2-1 ratio – Republicans still maintain pockets of influence in Southern California suburbs and rural areas like the Central Valley.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has designated Calvert as a top target for 2026, as they did in 2024. Calvert’s campaign reported raising over $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2025. In 2024, a difficult year for Democrats nationally, the party gained three GOP-held House seats in California, setting the stage for a potentially competitive race in 2026.