Biography & Campaign Analysis
2026 race
Kyle Kirkland, a casino owner who was a candidate for California's 20th congressional district in 2024, is the Republican candidate in the 2026 election for the 21st district. The seat is held by Democrat Jim Costa, who was re-elected in 2024 with 52.6% of the vote.
Kirkland and Costa advanced from the top-two primary, in which four other candidates were eliminated.
They were Democrats Eric Garcia, a therapist, and Lourin Hubbard, a labor organizer, Republican Lorenzo Rios, the CEO of the Clovis Veterans Memorial District, and addictions counselor Lance Kruse, who had no party preference. Kirkland faces Costa in the general election on November 3, 2026.