Former OneRepublic bassist Tim Myers is running for Congress in California
Tim Myers, former OneRepublic bassist and congressional candidate in California (Photo: Getty Images)
Former OneRepublic bassist Tim Myers is running for Congress in California, aiming to unseat longtime GOP Rep. Ken Calvert in a district Democrats see as crucial to countering Donald Trump’s influence, reports AP News.
Grammy-nominated musician and producer Tim Myers has officially entered the 2026 House race for California’s 41st District, a battleground region stretching from suburban Los Angeles to Palm Springs.
In a campaign video released Thursday, Myers said it’s time to break with "the status quo," calling out incumbent Ken Calvert’s 30-year tenure in Washington.
"Ken Calvert has been in Washington for 30 years. The status quo isn’t working," Myers declared in the clip, filmed inside a music studio.
Now based in the upscale enclave of Hidden Hills, Myers grew up in the district's city of Corona and says his local roots, coupled with his outsider perspective, make him the right person to bring change.
The Democratic newcomer criticized Trump-era policies that he says continue to affect everyday life:
"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."
GOP defends veteran as Democrats target the district
The Republican Party responded swiftly, labeling Myers "a Hollywood liberal trying to fake his way into Riverside County," according to Christian Martinez from the House GOP campaign arm.
Still, Democrats have flagged Calvert — who narrowly won re-election in 2024 by just 3 points — as a top target in their push to flip the House.
The district remains highly competitive, with only a 2-point Republican edge in voter registration. Trump carried the area in 2024, but Democrats made notable gains across the state, flipping three Republican-held seats that year.
Calvert, the longest-serving Republican in California’s delegation, has already raised over $1.3 million for his 2026 campaign.
At 40, Myers is positioning himself as a fresh alternative with a focus on economic relief, climate resilience, and restoring political accountability.
"It’s time for a change," he repeated in his campaign statement, urging voters to support his grassroots push against entrenched power.
This race adds to a growing list of Democratic efforts to push back against Trump’s resurgence in US politics. Just days ago, US Senator Michael Bennet launched his campaign for Colorado governor, calling state leadership the front line in defending democracy and economic fairness from Trump’s policies.
