Armen
Kurdian
Armen Kurdian, retired Navy captain, is the 2026 Republican challenger in California's 49th Congressional District.
- sources
- 9
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 39
Background
Armen Kurdian is the Republican challenger to incumbent Representative Mike Levin in California's 49th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. 27
Kurdian is a retired U.S. Navy captain who, according to his campaign, served 25 years in the Navy before settling with his family in North County San Diego after 14 military relocations. His residence is listed as Vista, California. 86
No prior elected office is confirmed by his campaign materials. His campaign biography highlights work with nonprofits, veterans, and local government. The FEC classifies him as a challenger in the 2026 race. 78
Kurdian's campaign website is kurdianforcongress.com. No official social media account URLs were confirmed from his campaign pages. 18
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 49, California
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Retired U.S. Navy Captain
- Website
- kurdianforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11pollForecast model projects Levin well ahead of Kurdian in CA-49
A forecast published October 11 projected Democratic incumbent Mike Levin well ahead of Kurdian in the CA-49 general election. This is a model projection, not a public opinion poll.
Democrat Sara Jacobs seeks fourth term in Congress, faces challenge by little-known Republican · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsKurdian responds to OC Register questionnaire, citing high cost of living as district's biggest issue
In a candidate questionnaire, Kurdian called the high cost of living the district's biggest issue and said he would cut government spending, reduce regulations, support small businesses, encourage job creation, and reduce federal red tape in homebuilding while retaining safety and environmental protections.
Armen Kurdian, CA-49 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29newsKurdian tells KPBS cost of living is his top priority; backs nuclear energy and deregulation
In an interview reported by KPBS, Kurdian said reducing regulations that raise prices is key to addressing cost of living. He stated he is 'in favor of all forms of energy' and advocated for nuclear power alongside other energy sources.
Meet the candidates for US House of Representatives · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29endorsementKPBS reports Kurdian endorsements from Rep. Darrell Issa, San Diego Young Republicans, CA Republican Assembly, and Supervisor Jim Desmond
KPBS listed Kurdian's endorsements in its candidate explainer. No specific dates were given for when the endorsements were made.
Meet the candidates for US House of Representatives · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30filingKurdian raised $58,784 and had $17,916 cash on hand through end of Q2
FEC data through June 30 shows Kurdian raised $58,784, spent $40,867, and had $17,916 cash on hand. Of his funding, $19,173.32 came through WinRed and he contributed $10,244.16 of his own money. Incumbent Levin raised roughly $3.16 million by comparison.
California's 49th District Race 2026: Who's Running (CA-49) · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 2newsArmen Kurdian advances from CA-49 top-two primary with ~26% of the vote
Kurdian finished second in California's June 2 top-two primary, earning approximately 26% of the vote compared to Democratic incumbent Mike Levin's ~56%, advancing to the November 3 general election.
San Diego County voter guide for the California November general election · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- GOP Union Caucus organizationListed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. Not identified as a labor union endorsement in the sources. kurdianforcongress.com
- Diane Dixon officialCalifornia State Assembly Member; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Rick Loeffler officialMayor; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Jack Feller officialFormer mayor; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- San Diego County Fraternal Order of Police organizationListed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Lincoln Club Business League of San Diego County organizationListed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Darrell Issa officialU.S. Representative; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. Caveat: a March 2026 Voice of San Diego report indicated Issa had endorsed Jim Desmond after withdrawing from the CA-49 race; sources do not independently verify when or whether Issa later endorsed Kurdian. kurdianforcongress.com
- Laurie Davies officialCalifornia State Assembly Member; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- John Minto officialMayor; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Brian Maryott officialFormer mayor; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- American Independent Party organizationListed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Lincoln Club of Orange County organizationListed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Brian Jones officialCalifornia State Senator; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Jim Desmond officialSan Diego County Supervisor; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page and confirmed by KPBS. kurdianforcongress.com
- John McCann officialMayor; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Rebecca Jones officialListed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page among mayors/former mayors. kurdianforcongress.com
- California Young Republicans Federation organizationListed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Ken Calvert officialU.S. Representative; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Mark Wyland officialRetired California State Senator; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Don Wagner officialOrange County Supervisor; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Dane White officialMayor; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- California Republican Assembly organizationListed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page and confirmed by KPBS. kurdianforcongress.com
- San Diego Young Republicans organizationListed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page and confirmed by KPBS. kurdianforcongress.com
- Steven Choi officialCalifornia State Senator; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- John Franklin officialMayor; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Max Duncan officialMayor; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Orange County Republican Party organizationListed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- California Women's Leadership Association organizationListed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Tony Strickland officialCalifornia State Senator; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Bill Wells officialMayor; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Gene Johns officialMayor; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- San Diego County Republican Party organizationListed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- San Diego Asian Americans for Equality organizationListed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Mike Morell officialRetired California State Senator; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Joel Anderson officialSan Diego County Supervisor; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- John Duncan officialMayor; listed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- California Republican Party organizationListed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- California Republican Veterans Association organizationListed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page. kurdianforcongress.com
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association organizationListed on Kurdian campaign endorsements page; HJTA PAC endorsement document dated May 26, 2026 includes Kurdian for Congressional District 49. hjta.org · May 26, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $59K
- Spent
- $41K
- Cash on hand
- $18K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6CA49169(opens in a new tab)
Sources 9
- [1] Democrat Sara Jacobs seeks fourth term in Congress, faces challenge by little-known Republican(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Armen Kurdian, CA-49 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [3] California's 49th District Race 2026: Who's Running (CA-49)(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [4] San Diego County voter guide for the California November general election(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [5] Meet the candidates for US House of Representatives(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [6] Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [7] Voter Guide Profile for CA U.S. Rep., Dist. 49 candidate - Armen ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [8] HJTA PAC Endorsements Ballot Measures 5.26.26(opens in a new tab) May 30, 2026
- [9] Armen Kurdian, CA-49 candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire(opens in a new tab) May 5, 2026