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California's 49th Congressional District election, 2026

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The boundaries of this district may change as a result of California Proposition 50, which voters will decide on November 5, 2025. Click here to read more about the mid-decade redistricting effort in California and other states.


2024
California's 49th Congressional District
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General election
Election details
Filing deadline: March 6, 2026
Primary: June 2, 2026
General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
Poll times:

7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting in California

Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Likely Democratic
DDHQ and The Hill: Pending
Inside Elections: Lean Democratic
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Likely Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
See also
California's 49th Congressional District
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California elections, 2026
U.S. Congress elections, 2026
U.S. Senate elections, 2026
U.S. House elections, 2026

All U.S. House districts, including the 49th Congressional District of California, are holding elections in 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026. To learn more about other elections on the ballot, click here.

Candidates and election results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

  • Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
  • Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. House California District 49

Incumbent Mike Levin, Jim Desmond, Star Parker, Eli Stern, and Julian Arellano are running in the general election for U.S. House California District 49 on November 3, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Image of Jim Desmond

WebsiteFacebookTwitterYouTube

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "I'm a U.S. Navy veteran and a retired Delta Air Lines Captain, with 33 years of experience in the cockpit and a lifelong commitment to service. For over 40 years, I’ve been married to my wife, Kerri, and we’re proud to have raised our two children in North County—where they still live today. I currently serve as the San Diego County Supervisor for District 5, representing a vast and diverse region that stretches across more than 4,200 square miles—including 70 miles of Pacific coastline and a 60-mile international border with Mexico. With more than 3 million residents, San Diego County is the fifth most populous county in the nation, and I’m honored to fight every day for the people who call it home. Before being elected to the Board of Supervisors, I served as the Mayor of San Marcos for 12 years. I’ve spent my public service career focused on real, common-sense solutions—leading on issues like public safety, infrastructure, veterans’ support, and protecting taxpayers from government overreach. Whether it's at city hall or the county level, I’ve worked to strengthen our communities and improve the quality of life for every North County resident. Now, I'm running for Congress to bring that same common-sense leadership to Washington and stand up for the families, veterans, and job creators who deserve a voice that puts them first."


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


An Affordable California: Making California Affordable Again Starts with Common-Sense Leadership One of my top priorities is restoring affordability in California—because the California Dream has become a nightmare for far too many. Once a symbol of opportunity and prosperity, California is now: Last in affordability Last in places to raise a family Last in job growth And first in homelessness Families are being priced out of their own communities. Seniors on fixed incomes are being forced from their homes because of surging costs in insurance, gas, and electricity. Parents face the impossible task of raising kids in a state where basic necessities are unaffordable, and small businesses are crushed by overregulation.


Fixing Our Immigration System with Security, Fairness, and Dignity One of my top priorities is fixing our broken immigration system with security, fairness, and dignity. We must protect our borders, stop illegal crossings, and ensure no one skips the line. America can welcome those who follow the rules while upholding the rule of law. As your representative, I’ll fight for a secure border, a legal immigration system that works, and a process that treats people with dignity—while putting American families first.


Homelessness is out of control—up 18% this year, with California home to 27% of the nation’s homeless. We need real solutions, not more excuses. I’ll push for treatment-first policies that tackle addiction and mental illness, stop enabling harmful behaviors, and get people off the streets. We must also demand transparency and tie federal dollars to real results: fewer people on the streets, more lives restored, and safer communities. It’s time to restore hope with common-sense solutions that work.

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png Do you have a photo that could go here? Click here to submit it for this profile!

Website

Party: No party preference

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "I am a Latino candidate who is here to fight for the working class and human rights"


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


Immigration rights and pathways to citizenship


Woman rights and the right to decide the fait of thoer own bodies


Human rights and protecting the working class

Voting information

See also: Voting in California

Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Expand all | Collapse all

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Julian Arellano (No party preference)

Immigration rights and pathways to citizenship

Woman rights and the right to decide the fait of thoer own bodies

Human rights and protecting the working class
An Affordable California: Making California Affordable Again Starts with Common-Sense Leadership

One of my top priorities is restoring affordability in California—because the California Dream has become a nightmare for far too many.

Once a symbol of opportunity and prosperity, California is now:

Last in affordability

Last in places to raise a family

Last in job growth

And first in homelessness

Families are being priced out of their own communities. Seniors on fixed incomes are being forced from their homes because of surging costs in insurance, gas, and electricity. Parents face the impossible task of raising kids in a state where basic necessities are unaffordable, and small businesses are crushed by overregulation.

Fixing Our Immigration System with Security, Fairness, and Dignity

One of my top priorities is fixing our broken immigration system with security, fairness, and dignity. We must protect our borders, stop illegal crossings, and ensure no one skips the line. America can welcome those who follow the rules while upholding the rule of law. As your representative, I’ll fight for a secure border, a legal immigration system that works, and a process that treats people with dignity—while putting American families first.

Homelessness is out of control—up 18% this year, with California home to 27% of the nation’s homeless. We need real solutions, not more excuses. I’ll push for treatment-first policies that tackle addiction and mental illness, stop enabling harmful behaviors, and get people off the streets. We must also demand transparency and tie federal dollars to real results: fewer people on the streets, more lives restored, and safer communities. It’s time to restore hope with common-sense solutions that work.
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Julian Arellano (No party preference)

Immigration rights

Woman rights Affordable housing Minority rights

Education rights
I’m passionate about public policies that put people before bureaucracy and bring real, lasting change to our communities. That includes tackling the homelessness crisis with treatment-first solutions, restoring public safety by supporting law enforcement, securing our border, and holding Mexico accountable for the ongoing sewage crisis harming our coastline. I’ve fought to make California more affordable by cutting red tape and opposing new taxes, and I’ve prioritized protecting our environment, veterans, and families. I believe in common-sense leadership—and I’m committed to bringing that to Washington.
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Julian Arellano (No party preference)

Bernie sanders

AOC

Because they represent thier congressional districts and fight for thier constituents
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Julian Arellano (No party preference)

To represent the peoples who are in their jurisdiction even if they did not vote for the candidate
I believe the most important characteristics for an elected official are integrity, independence, and accountability. Public service isn’t about party loyalty or personal ambition—it’s about standing up for the people you represent, even when it’s not politically easy.

As a U.S. Navy veteran, retired Delta pilot, and County Supervisor, I’ve always approached leadership with common sense, a steady hand, and a commitment to doing what’s right. That means listening first, cutting through bureaucracy, and delivering real results—whether it’s addressing the homelessness crisis, stopping raw sewage from Mexico, or fighting new taxes that make California unaffordable.

An elected official should never forget who they work for—and that’s the people.
The core responsibility of someone elected to Congress is to serve the people—plain and simple. That means listening to constituents, fighting for their needs, and delivering results that improve their everyday lives.

It’s not about making headlines—it’s about restoring trust in government, upholding the Constitution, and ensuring accountability at every level. That includes securing our border, keeping our communities safe, reining in out-of-control spending, and making life more affordable for families, seniors, and small businesses.

As someone who’s served as a U.S. Navy veteran, airline captain, and County Supervisor, I believe the job is about leadership, responsibility, and putting people before politics—every single time.
I want to leave a legacy of getting things done and solving real problems. My goal has always been to cut through the politics and focus on results—whether it's making California more affordable, fixing our broken immigration system, addressing homelessness with treatment-first solutions, or holding Mexico accountable for the sewage crisis hurting our coastline. I don’t believe in endless talk or political games—I believe in action, accountability, and common-sense leadership. I hope to be remembered as someone who listened, led with integrity, and delivered for the people I served. That’s the kind of legacy that matters to me.
We absolutely need term limits.
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Julian Arellano (No party preference)

Arellano for congress
Darrell Issa– Congressman

Tom McClintock - Congressman Brian Maryott (Former Mayor of San Juan Capistrano) Riley Gaines – Advocate for Women’s Sports and Rights Orange County Supervisor – Janet Nguyen Carl DeMaio – Assemblymember Laurie Davies – Assemblymember Steve Knoblock – Mayor of San Clemente Rick Loeffler – San Clemente Councilmember John Franklin – Mayor of Vista Brian Jones – Senate Minority Leader Melanie Burkholder – Carlsbad Councilmember Peter Weiss – Oceanside Councilmember Rick Robinson - Oceanside Councilmember

Groups: National Border Patrol Council – San Diego Chapter Oceanside Police Officers’ Association Deputy Sheriffs Association of San Diego County Republican Party of San Diego County

Reform California
Veterans' Affairs, Homeland Security, Small Business, Transportation and Infrastructure


You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:

Campaign finance

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Mike Levin Democratic Party $1,395,356 $591,621 $1,073,471 As of June 30, 2025
Jim Desmond Republican Party $827,480 $123,067 $704,413 As of June 30, 2025
Star Parker Republican Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Eli Stern Republican Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Julian Arellano No party preference $2,971 $2,246 $1,000 As of June 30, 2025

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.
*** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

  • Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
  • Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
  • Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[1]
  • Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[2][3][4]

Race ratings: California's 49th Congressional District election, 2026
Race trackerRace ratings
9/16/20259/9/20259/2/20258/26/2025
The Cook Political Report with Amy WalterLikely DemocraticLikely DemocraticLikely DemocraticLikely Democratic
Decision Desk HQ and The HillPendingPendingPendingPending
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallLikely DemocraticLikely DemocraticLikely DemocraticLikely Democratic
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Ballot access

This section will contain information on ballot access related to this state's elections when it is available.

District history

The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2020.

2024

See also: California's 49th Congressional District election, 2024

California's 49th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 top-two primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 49

Incumbent Mike Levin defeated Matt Gunderson in the general election for U.S. House California District 49 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mike Levin
Mike Levin (D)
 
52.2
 
197,397
Image of Matt Gunderson
Matt Gunderson (R)
 
47.8
 
180,950

Total votes: 378,347
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 49

Incumbent Mike Levin and Matt Gunderson defeated Margarita Wilkinson, Kate Monroe, and Sheryl Adams in the primary for U.S. House California District 49 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mike Levin
Mike Levin (D)
 
51.0
 
97,275
Image of Matt Gunderson
Matt Gunderson (R)
 
25.7
 
49,001
Image of Margarita Wilkinson
Margarita Wilkinson (R)
 
11.0
 
20,900
Image of Kate Monroe
Kate Monroe (R)
 
10.0
 
19,026
Image of Sheryl Adams
Sheryl Adams (R) Candidate Connection
 
2.4
 
4,617

Total votes: 190,819
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2022

See also: California's 49th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 49

Incumbent Mike Levin defeated Brian Maryott in the general election for U.S. House California District 49 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mike Levin
Mike Levin (D) Candidate Connection
 
52.6
 
153,541
Image of Brian Maryott
Brian Maryott (R) Candidate Connection
 
47.4
 
138,194

Total votes: 291,735
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 49

The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 49 on June 7, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mike Levin
Mike Levin (D) Candidate Connection
 
48.9
 
92,211
Image of Brian Maryott
Brian Maryott (R) Candidate Connection
 
19.0
 
35,805
Image of Lisa Bartlett
Lisa Bartlett (R) Candidate Connection
 
10.7
 
20,163
Image of Christopher Rodriguez
Christopher Rodriguez (R) Candidate Connection
 
9.7
 
18,248
Image of Josiah O'Neil
Josiah O'Neil (R)
 
7.8
 
14,746
Image of Nadia Smalley
Nadia Smalley (D) Candidate Connection
 
2.5
 
4,804
Image of Renee Taylor
Renee Taylor (R)
 
1.4
 
2,597

Total votes: 188,574
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2020

See also: California's 49th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 49

Incumbent Mike Levin defeated Brian Maryott in the general election for U.S. House California District 49 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mike Levin
Mike Levin (D) Candidate Connection
 
53.1
 
205,349
Image of Brian Maryott
Brian Maryott (R)
 
46.9
 
181,157

Total votes: 386,506
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 49

Incumbent Mike Levin and Brian Maryott advanced from the primary for U.S. House California District 49 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mike Levin
Mike Levin (D) Candidate Connection
 
56.6
 
125,639
Image of Brian Maryott
Brian Maryott (R)
 
43.4
 
96,424

Total votes: 222,063
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates



District analysis

This section will contain facts and figures related to this district's elections when those are available.

See also

California 2026 primaries 2026 U.S. Congress elections
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External links

Footnotes

  1. Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
  2. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
  3. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
  4. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018


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