Democratic Incumbent Mike Levin Leads California House Race That’s Too Close to Call

People wait to vote at the Joslyn Park center in Santa Monica, Calif. on Nov. 5, 2024. Apu Gomes/Getty Images

California’s 49th Congressional District is proving too close to call, as Democratic incumbent Mike Levin holds a slim lead over the Republican challenger Matt Gunderson.

Levin currently holds a 51.6 percent to 48.4 percent lead over Gunderson, as of Nov. 8.

In the March primary, Levin, 46, was supported by 51 percent of the vote. Gunderson received 25.7 percent of the vote, though he split the vote with three other Republican candidates.

Levin has been serving the congressional district since 2019.

As of the 2020 redistricting, California’s 49th Congressional District represents most of San Diego’s North County and south east Orange County.

Issues

Levin has a voting record in support of expanding abortion access. He called the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, returning regulation of abortion to individual states, a “callous and reckless decision.”

Levin, a proponent of the Green New Deal legislation, also voted in favor of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. He also voted in 2022 for H.R. 1808, a ban on the sale and distribution of certain types of firearms.

Gunderson, a car dealership owner, highlighted the economy and high cost of living as the main issues facing Americans, promising support for lower taxes, border security, and crime reduction.

Although he believes abortion should be a rare occurrence, Gunderson also pledged to oppose federal restrictions on abortion and to ensure access to fertility treatments like IVF.

49th Congressional District Election History

In 2016, Republican Darrell Issa defeated Democratic challenger Douglas Applegate by less than 1 percent, leading to the district being considered a major battleground in the 2018 election. Issa did not seek reelection.

In 2018, Levin defeated Republican Diane Harley to flip Issa’s former seat.

The 49th Congressional District presently encompasses the northern coastal areas of San Diego County, including Oceanside, Vista, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, and parts of Del Mar as well as a portion of southern Orange County, including San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Niguel and Coto de Caza. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is also in the district.