Rep. Mike Levin has been re-elected to a fourth term representing the 49th Congressional District, a race with national implications but one that remained too close to call until a week after Election Day.
“This was a hard fought, competitive race and I am proud of the incredible work we put in as a team with hundreds of volunteers to get this over the finish line,” Levin said in a statement Tuesday night after the Associated Press called the race in his favor. The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times also called it for Levin.
Levin was up 52% percent to 48% Tuesday, leading challenger Matt Gunderson by more than 14,000 votes, according to the unofficial results posted by the California secretary of state. According to the Washington Post, about 83 percent of votes had been counted.
The 49th District, which straddles San Diego and Orange counties, is one Democrats fought to hold, trying to win back the House as Republicans take the Senate and the presidency.
With the 49th staying in the Democrats’ hands, Republicans need just two more seats to keep control of the House, and 12 races remain too close to call, according to the Associated Press’ count.
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene issued a statement Tuesday congratulating Levin on the win, calling him “a long-time proven fighter for North County San Diego and South Orange County.”
The district had been in Republican hands for several years until Levin’s election in 2018 — but redistricting reduced its Democratic tilt, and it has grown more competitive.
The coastal district stretches from Del Mar and Vista north to Laguna Niguel and Ladera Ranch. On Nov. 5 and in updates as more returns rolled in, Levin held a small single-digit lead throughout.
But there was a notable regional split in the results. San Diego’s North County voters backed Levin by a wide margin, which on Tuesday was roughly 12 percentage points. Orange County voters backed Gunderson by roughly the same wide margin, which was also about 12 percentage points Tuesday.