Young Kim’s Congressional campaign is a run two decades in the making

Young Kim, a Republican and former state legislator, is running to represent California’s 39th Congressional District.

For around two decades, Young Kim had worked for outgoing U.S. Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., first when Royce was a state senator and later a congressman.

Now, Kim is hoping Royce’s endorsement in the very crowded 39th District congressional race for his open seat will carry her through California’s top-two primary on June 5 and into office come November.

“I have been out there, I know the district, and my personal story and experience as an immigrant, as well as work ethic, sets me apart from the rest of the field,” Kim said.

Kim is one of 17 certified candidates vying for Royce’s seat, in the southern part of California. The race, already competitive, got even more so when Royce announced in January that he wouldn’t seek reelection after nearly a quarter of a century in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Kim, who served in Royce’s congressional office for 21 years, working as a community liaison and director of Asian affairs, said the congressman immediately called after his decision to retire at the end of his term became public.