California 49th District
Mike Levin (D) holds this seat and is running again. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Mike Levin
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 66 of 126 votes and bills.
Raised $3,568,007 since January 2025: 79% from people, 14% from PACs and other committees, 7% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Armen Kurdian
Republican · retired navy captain, vista city council candidate
B-Liberty Score B-80 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Kurdian has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Kurdian.
Raised $189,196 since January 2025: 90% from people, 7% the candidate’s own money, 1% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Armen Kurdian. Armen Kurdian: B-, 80 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Mike Levin: F, 46 out of 100 from recorded votes.
Voting in California: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Armen Kurdian, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Kurdian, so the grade above comes from this list: what Kurdian has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Asked whether the U.S. relationship with Israel is important, he answered yes and gave this reason.
“Israel is an important ally in the Middle East and helps protect against threats.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Treating Israel as an ally is with liberty on free nations.
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He chose the foreign policy view that the U.S. has become too involved in others' policies and should stay focused on its own sovereignty unless in imminent danger.
“C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
The answer names neither Ukraine, Taiwan nor NATO, so it does not settle the measure.
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On health care he chose the answer that Medicaid and Medicare remain but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
“C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Rejecting government health care for all is with liberty on free markets.
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He marked Agree on the statement that people who can afford to pay more taxes should do so to give relief to working families.
“People who can afford to pay more taxes should do so in order to provide relief for working families. Agree”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Backing higher taxes on those who can afford them is against liberty on free markets.
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On a questionnaire item that biological males should not take part in women's sports or women's spaces, he marked Strongly Agree and added this.
“I can't believe this is actually a topic of conversation in today's world.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping women's sport and spaces female is with liberty on equal rights.
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Asked what separation of church and state means, he said government should not force one religion, and that America was founded on Judeo-Christian values.
“To me, separation of church and state means that the government should not create or force people to follow one religion.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
He backs no religious law but adds a role for Judeo-Christian values, so the line does not settle the measure.
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He marked Strongly Disagree on the statement that he supports sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
“I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons. Strongly Disagree”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing sanctuary policies is on the with side of the migration measure.
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Asked who should be allowed to immigrate, he said people willing to work and follow the law, with reasonable limits.
“However, immigration should have reasonable limits so that it can be managed safely and fairly.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
He names no wall, deportations or path to citizenship, so the line does not settle the measure.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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California 49th District
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