Democratic Rep. Mike Levin holds on to his coastal Southern California district seat over the weekend after defeating an opponent who had been a star member of the House who was not running for re-election.
Levin was elected with 56 percent of the vote in a district that has a strong Democratic tilt, with a majority of minorities and low household incomes. He is the top vote getter in the nation for his party with $1 million raised. He had previously raised $3.8 million ahead of the 2014 election.
In a statement of the results, Levin said, “After seven years of representing San Diego County, I am once again excited, energized and proud to be your next Congressman. I want to thank everyone for their support and work over the last year.
“This campaign was tough, but I have learned an awful lot about myself and the challenges of representing the people of my district. I look forward to continuing to work with my talented team, and with all the members of our congressional delegation, to work hard to help protect our middle class and advance the causes of the working families.”
Levin represented California’s 4th CD in the House for 12 years, before losing to now Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of Orange County.
Levin made national headlines in April, when Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez showed up in his office to campaign for him. She showed up with a cardboard cutout of him and a banner that read, “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a long time congressman.”
Levin also has significant connections to the left-wing community in San Diego County, including having served with former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and serving on the board of Young Democrats of San Diego County.
And he has also been a member of the California Senate since 2004 and has served in both the State Assembly and State Senate since 1995.
Levin has also been mentioned as a possible future candidate to run for a seat in the Senate, should incumbent Senator Dianne Feinstein run for her seventh term in November. Levin was rumored to be a contender for a Senate seat in 2018, but he did not appear to put himself forward for the seat before Feinstein announced she would run for her seventh term.
He also has been mentioned as a possible
