The tight race for the 49th District, which includes portions of south Orange County and north San Diego County, has national implications
SAN DIEGO — The race for California’s 49th Congressional District will soon be decided between Representative Mike Levin and his opponent, former Mayor of San Juan Capistrano, Brian Maryott. The race could have national implications on which political party will take hold of the House of Representatives.
Levin, a former environmental attorney, has faced harsh criticism from his opponent Maryott for his support of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as well as high inflation, sky-high gas prices, and the environment.
The 49th Congressional District includes Orange County cities of San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Dana Point, and the Ladera Ranch community. The district then stretches south to include the San Diego County cities of Oceanside, Vista, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Del Mar, and a small section of the city of San Diego.
According to the 2020 census, a little over 750,000 people live in the 49th District, with a vast majority, 62 percent, being White, 27 percent Hispanic, nearly 8 percent Asian, and 2.4 percent Black.
Maryott is a certified financial planner and former mayor of San Juan Capistrano who ran unsuccessfully for congress in 2018 and again in 2020. According to Maryott’s website, he is campaigning on creating new jobs and strengthening the economy. In addition, Maryott wants to secure the border and opposes the teaching of Critical Race Theory in schools.