# California's 49th congressional district

California's 49th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. The district is represented by Mike Levin.
The district currently covers 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 in the district.
In the 2016 election, Darrell Issa won by a margin of less than 1%. In the 2018 election, this district was considered to be a major battleground. Rep. Issa announced that he would not seek reelection. Following the November 6, 2018, election, Democrat Mike Levin became the district's congressman.

## Recent election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2008 | President | Obama 49.90% - 49.86% |
| 2010 | Governor | Whitman 57% - 37% |
| 2010 | Lt. Governor | Maldonado 49% - 38% |
| 2010 | Secretary of State | Dunn 54% - 39% |
| 2010 | Attorney General | Cooley 59% - 32% |
| 2010 | Treasurer | Walters 53% - 40% |
| 2010 | Controller | Strickland 51% - 41% |
| 2012 | President | Romney 53% - 45% |
| 2014 | Governor | Kashkari 56% - 44% |
| 2016 | President | Clinton 50% - 44% |
| 2018 | Governor | Newsom 51% - 49% |
| 2018 | Attorney General | Becerra 52% - 48% |
| 2020 | President | Biden 55% - 43% |
| 2022 | Senate (Reg.) | Padilla 52% - 48% |
| 2022 | Governor | Newsom 50.4% - 49.6% |
| 2022 | Lt. Governor | Kounalakis 51% - 49% |
| 2022 | Secretary of State | Weber 51% - 49% |
| 2022 | Attorney General | Bonta 50.1% - 49.9% |
| 2022 | Treasurer | Guerrero 50.2% - 49.8% |
| 2022 | Controller | Chen 53% - 47% |
| 2024 | President | Harris 52% - 45% |
| 2024 | Senate (Reg.) | Schiff 51% - 49% |

## Composition

| FIPS County Code | County | Seat | Population |
| 59 | Orange | Santa Ana | 3,135,755 |
| 73 | San Diego | San Diego | 3,269,973 |
Under the 2020 redistricting, California's 49th congressional district is located in Southern California, covering the North County region of San Diego County and southeast Orange County. The area in San Diego County includes the cities of Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, and Vista; and the census-designated places Camp Pendleton Mainside and Camp Pendleton South. The area in Orange County includes the cities of San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, and Laguna Niguel; and the census-designated places Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, and Rancho Mission Viejo.
San Diego County is split between this district, the 48th district and the 50th district. They are partitioned by Gavilan Mountain Rd, Sandia Creek Dr, De Luz Rd, Marine Corps Base Pendleton, Sleeping Indian Rd, Tumbleweed Ln, Del Valle Dr, Highland Oak St, Olive Hill Rd, Via Puerta del Sol, N River Rd, Highway 76, Old River Rd, Little Gopher Canyon Rd, Camino Cantera, Corre Camino, Tierra del Cielo, Elevado Rd, Vista Grande Dr, Warmlands Ave, Queens Way, Canciones del Cielo, Camino Loma Verde, Alessandro Trail, Friendly Dr, Edgehill Rd, Catalina Heights Way, Deeb Ct, Foothill Dr, Clarence Dr, Highway S14, Smilax Rd, Poinsetta Ave, W San Marcos Blvd, Diamond Trail Preserve, S Rancho Santa Rd, San Elijo Rd, Rancho Summitt Dr, Escondido Creek, El Camino del Norte, San Elijo Lagoon, Highland Dr, Avacado Pl, Jimmy Durante Blvd, San Dieguito Dr, 8th St, Nob Ave, Highway S21, and the San Diego Northern Railway.
Orange County is split between this district, the 40th district, and the 47th district. They are partitioned by Alicia Parkway, Pacific Park Dr, San Joaquin Hills Trans Corridor, Cabot Rd, San Diego Freeway, Via Escolar, Arroyo Trabuco Creek, Oso Parkway, Thomas F Riley Wilderness Park, and Ronald W Casper's Wilderness Park, Aliso & Wood Canyons, Vista del Sol, Highway 1, Stonington Rd, Virginia Way, 7th Ave, and Laguna Beach.

### Cities and CDPs with 10,000 or more people

* Oceanside – 174,068
* Carlsbad – 114,746
* Vista – 98,381
* Laguna Niguel – 64,355
* San Clemente – 64,293
* Encinitas – 62,007
* San Juan Capistrano – 35,196
* Dana Point – 33,107
* Ladera Ranch – 26,170
* Solana Beach – 12,941
* Camp Pendleton South – 12,468
* Rancho Mission Viejo – 10,378

### 2,500 – 10,000 people

* Camp Pendleton Mainside – 9,683
* Las Flores – 5,995
* Del Mar – 3,954

## List of members representing the district

| Member | Party | Dates | Cong ress(es) | Electoral history | Counties |
| District created January 3, 1993 ||||||
| Lynn Schenk (San Diego) | Democratic | January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1995 | 103rd | Elected in 1992. Lost re-election. | 1993–2003 San Diego (San Diego) |
| Brian Bilbray (Imperial Beach) | Republican | January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2001 | 104th 105th 106th | Elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Lost re-election. | 1993–2003 San Diego (San Diego) |
| Susan Davis (San Diego) | Democratic | January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2003 | 107th | Elected in 2000. Redistricted to the 53rd district. | 1993–2003 San Diego (San Diego) |
| Darrell Issa (Vista) | Republican | January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2019 | 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th | Redistricted from the 48th district and re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Retired. | 2003–2013 Riverside (Temecula); San Diego (Oceanside) |
| Darrell Issa (Vista) | Republican | January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2019 | 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th | Redistricted from the 48th district and re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Retired. | 2013–2023 Southern Orange (Dana Point and San Clemente); Northern San Diego (Carlsbad and Oceanside) |
| Mike Levin (San Juan Capistrano) | Democratic | January 3, 2019 – present | 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2013–2023 Southern Orange (Dana Point and San Clemente); Northern San Diego (Carlsbad and Oceanside) |
| Mike Levin (San Juan Capistrano) | Democratic | January 3, 2019 – present | 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2023–present: Northern coastal portions of San Diego county |

## Election results
### 1992

1992 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Lynn Schenk | 127,280 | 51.1 |
| | Republican | Judy Jarvis | 106,170 | 42.7 |
| | Libertarian | John Wallner | 10,706 | 4.3 |
| | Peace and Freedom | Milton Zaslow | 4,738 | 1.9 |
| | Independent | Thompson (write-in) | 4 | 0.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 248,898 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic win (new seat) | Democratic win (new seat) | Democratic win (new seat) | Democratic win (new seat) |

### 1994

1994 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Brian Bilbray | 90,283 | 48.5 |
| | Democratic | Lynn Schenk (Incumbent) | 85,597 | 46.0 |
| | Libertarian | Chris Hoogenboom | 5,288 | 2.8 |
| | Peace and Freedom | Renate Kline | 4,948 | 2.7 |
| | Independent | Thompson (write-in) | 2 | 0.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 186,118 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### 1996

1996 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Brian Bilbray (Incumbent) | 108,806 | 52.7 |
| | Democratic | Peter Navarro | 86,657 | 41.9 |
| | Libertarian | Ernie Lippe | 4,218 | 3.3 |
| | Reform | Kevin Hambsch | 3,773 | 1.8 |
| | Natural Law | Peter Stirling | 3,314 | 1.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 206,768 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1998

1998 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Brian Bilbray (Incumbent) | 90,516 | 48.8 |
| | Democratic | Christine T. Kehoe | 86,400 | 46.6 |
| | Libertarian | Ernest Lippe | 3,327 | 1.8 |
| | Natural Law | Julia F. Simon | 2,829 | 1.5 |
| | Peace and Freedom | Janice Jordan | 2,447 | 1.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 185,519 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2000

2000 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Susan Davis | 113,400 | 49.7 |
| | Republican | Brian Bilbray (Incumbent) | 105,515 | 46.2 |
| | Libertarian | Doris Ball | 6,526 | 2.8 |
| | Natural Law | Tahir I. Bhatti | 3,048 | 1.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 228,489 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### 2002

2002 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Darrell Issa | 94,594 | 77.3 |
| | Libertarian | Karl W. Dietrich | 26,891 | 21.9 |
| | Democratic | Michael P. Byron (write-in) | 1,012 | 0.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 122,497 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2004

2004 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Darrell Issa (Incumbent) | 141,658 | 62.6 |
| | Democratic | Michael P. Byron | 79,057 | 34.9 |
| | Libertarian | Lars R. Grossmith | 5,751 | 2.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 226,466 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2006

2006 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Darrell Issa (Incumbent) | 98,891 | 63.3 |
| | Democratic | Jeeni Criscenzo | 52,227 | 33.5 |
| | Libertarian | Lars B. Grossmith | 4,952 | 3.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 156,070 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2008

2008 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Darrell Issa (Incumbent) | 140,300 | 58.3 |
| | Democratic | Robert Hamilton | 90,138 | 37.5 |
| | Libertarian | Lars B. Grossmith | 10,232 | 4.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 240,670 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2010

2010 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Darrell Issa (Incumbent) | 119,083 | 62.8 |
| | Democratic | Howard Katz | 59,710 | 31.5 |
| | American Independent | Dion Clark | 6,585 | 3.5 |
| | Libertarian | Mike Paster | 4,290 | 2.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 189,668 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2012

2012 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Darrell Issa (Incumbent) | 159,725 | 58.2 |
| | Democratic | Jerry Tetalman | 114,893 | 41.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 274,618 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2014

2014 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Darrell Issa (Incumbent) | 98,161 | 60.2 |
| | Democratic | Dave Peiser | 64,981 | 39.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 163,142 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2016

2016 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Darrell Issa (Incumbent) | 84,582 | 50.8 |
| | Democratic | Doug Applegate | 75,744 | 45.5 |
| | No party preference | Ryan Glenn Wingo | 6,079 | 3.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 166,405 | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Darrell Issa (Incumbent) | 155,888 | 50.3 |
| | Democratic | Doug Applegate | 154,267 | 49.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 310,155 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2018

2018 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Diane Harkey | 46,468 | 25.5 |
| | Democratic | Mike Levin | 31,850 | 17.5 |
| | Democratic | Sara Jacobs | 28,778 | 15.8 |
| | Democratic | Doug Applegate | 23,850 | 13.1 |
| | Republican | Kristin Gaspar | 15,467 | 8.5 |
| | Republican | Rocky Chávez | 13,739 | 7.5 |
| | Democratic | Paul G. Kerr | 8,099 | 4.4 |
| | Republican | Brian Maryott | 5,496 | 3.0 |
| | Republican | Mike Schmitt | 2,379 | 1.3 |
| | Republican | Josh Schoonover | 1,362 | 0.7 |
| | Republican | Craig A. Nordal | 1,156 | 0.6 |
| | Republican | David Medway | 1,066 | 0.6 |
| | No party preference | Robert Pendleton | 905 | 0.5 |
| | Green | Danielle St. John | 690 | 0.4 |
| | Libertarian | Joshua L. Hancock | 552 | 0.3 |
| | Peace and Freedom | Jordan J. Mills | 233 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 182,090 | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Mike Levin | 166,453 | 56.4 |
| | Republican | Diane Harkey | 128,577 | 43.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 295,030 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### 2020

2020 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mike Levin (Incumbent) | 205,179 | 53.1 |
| | Republican | Brian Maryott | 181,027 | 46.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 386,206 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2022

2022 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mike Levin (Incumbent) | 153,541 | 52.6 |
| | Republican | Brian Maryott | 138,194 | 47.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 291,735 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Historical district boundaries

Before the 2002 redistricting, most of the territory currently located in the district was previously located in the 48th district. The 49th district was located farther south, encompassing most of what is now the 53rd district.

### 2003-13

Before the 2012 redistricting the district extended further inland to include a portion of southern Riverside County and most of northern San Diego County.