Rep. Ken Calvert Projected Winner Over Challenger Will Rollins: AP

CORONA, CA — Rep. Ken Calvert (R-41) notched a win over Democrat Will Rollins, according to a call made by the Associated Press Monday night.

Despite a tough battle due to redistricting, the longest-serving Republican in the California congressional delegation is likely headed to another term. His 41st Congressional District includes Canyon Lake, Indian Wells, Lake Elsinore, La Quinta, Menifee, Norco, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Wildomar, and portions of Corona, Eastvale and Riverside.

Former federal prosecutor Rollins garnered 85,726 votes compared to Calvert's 91,215, according to the Monday night update from the Riverside County Registrar of Voters.

The incumbent's narrow lead over the challenger — 51.55% of the vote compared to 48.45% — was enough for the AP to make the projection, despite ongoing ballot counting in Riverside County.

"I want to thank the Riverside County voters for once again choosing me to be their voice in the U.S. House of Representatives. As I said throughout this campaign, I will work to take our country in a different direction from the path it's on and advocate for policies that will curb inflation, lower energy prices by increasing American production, address our border crisis, and reduce crime," Calvert said in a statement.

The presumed Calvert win spurs the GOP effort to gain control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Republicans were just one victory shy of the 218 seats the party needs to secure a majority, the AP reported late Monday.

For 30 years Calvert has held his congressional seat in Southwest Riverside County, but recent redistricting shifted his constituency. District lines were redrawn to include more Democratic-leaning cities, like Palm Springs, and he lost Republican strongholds, such as Murrieta and much of Temecula.

Calvert, 69, was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992 and is one of its most senior members. He has helped secure funding for local infrastructure and has supported pro-growth policies in the region. Ahead of this year's primary election, he garnered the support of former President Donald Trump, who called Calvert "a leader on National Security."

The Riverside County lawmaker's support for Trump was steadfast throughout the former president's term.

Calvert was also committed to the Trump cause in the 2020 election aftermath. The Riverside County leader joined more than 125 other House Republicans in signing an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court that backed a Texas lawsuit seeking to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. While he condemned the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol building, Calvert also voted to deny certification of election results from Arizona and Pennsylvania — states where then-President-Elect Joe Biden defeated Trump.

Following Biden's inauguration, Calvert issued a statement pledging to work with the new administration while promising to push priorities for his conservative base.

But the support for Trump — especially following the 2020 election — may have cost him some votes in the newly redrawn 41st Congressional District.

"It's clear that this district, like our country, is narrowly divided on a partisan basis. I am proud of my record of delivering results for Riverside County by working in a bipartisan manner throughout my career," Calvert said. "As I represent a new district with new communities, I remain committed to working towards solutions with anyone who is interested in addressing the needs of our region."