District 49 — U.S. House of Representatives
About this office
News and links
News
Candidates
- Accelerating Sustainable Energy and Environmental...
- Providing Affordable Healthcare Coverage for All -...
- Fighting For Women's Rights - I will fight to protect...
- Repeal the gas tax and continue tax reform
- Economic growth and job creation
- Keeping our promises to our veterans by reforming...
My Top 3 Priorities
- Accelerating Sustainable Energy and Environmental Protection - I want to put our district at the forefront of clean energy economic growth.
- Providing Affordable Healthcare Coverage for All - I would strongly advocate for Medicare for All, and will work to strengthen and repair the ACA in the meantime.
- Fighting For Women's Rights - I will fight to protect a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions, fight for equal pay, and fight against discrimination of every kind.
Experience
Experience
Education
Community Activities
Biography
For the last two decades, Mike has been involved in a variety of local, state and federal political campaigns and community organizations. Now, he wants to be your champion in Washington.
Mike was raised in South Orange County, where he attended public elementary and junior high schools. Mike spent his high school years in Los Angeles at Loyola High and then went to Stanford University, where he was honored to serve as student body president. After college, Mike served in the Coro Fellows Program and then attended Duke University School of Law. After law school, he served as Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Orange County, and has worked as an attorney focused on environmental and energy regulatory compliance and government affairs.
Mike is a passionate believer in clean energy and has over a decade of experience in the industry, helping to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable power generation and transportation options. Mike has served for several years on the board of the Center for Sustainable Energy, based in San Diego, and co-founded Sustain OC in Orange County. For his work in clean energy, Mike was named to the OC METRO 40 under 40.
On top of championing environmental policies, Mike will fight for Medicare for All, equal pay, affordable higher education, preventing gun violence, protecting Social Security, a woman’s right to choose, and a $15 federal minimum wage.
Mike lives in San Juan Capistrano with his wife, Chrissy, a graduate of the University of Arizona and Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and their two children, ages 5 and 4.
Who supports this candidate?
Featured Endorsements
Organizations (15)
Elected Officials (15)
Questions & Answers
Questions from KPBS and the League of Women Voters of North County San Diego (6)
I support H.R. 4944, the Reuniting Families Act, by Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) to fix the current backlog in the family immigration system. Currently, it can take decades for a U.S. citizen to be reunited with even one family member. The Reuniting Families Act, cosponsored by 45 Members of Congress, would make a number of changes to expediate and increase family reunification.
Our current family-based immigration laws were born from the civil rights era, when America had the moral strength and political will to sweep away the laws that enforced prejudice. Those that have reunited with their families are happier, more financially stable, less likely to rely on government assistance, open more businesses, and own homes in greater numbers than native-born citizens. Family immigration works for our country and should be strengthened, not weakened.
Trump has claimed that one immigrant could bring in an unlimited number of distant relatives. This is not true. The truth is there are no visas for grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins. And, for some families, it can take decades before they are reunited with even one family member. By making fixes that will accelerate family reunification, we will be helping the economy.
I do not support expanding the border wall, an exercise that would be costly and counterproductive in a number of ways.
Trump’s wall will only force those immigrants to utilize ever more dangerous routes and increase the number of people who die in search of work to feed and clothe their families. A wall would do little to stop migrants from crossing the border and would create lasting problems for animals and the land.
Trump’s wall is about dividing Americans – playing upon the racial fears and anxiety he has drummed up and amplified to rally his base. Trump’s wall is a political campaign promise that he has to fulfill to keep his base happy.
I support common sense measures to prevent gun violence.
Weapons of war have no place in our communities. Our nation requires a comprehensive assault weapons ban that prohibits the future production and sale of these weapons and provides a solution for dealing with those assault weapons that are already owned, such as a buyback program or registration. Limiting high-powered weapons to the military has worked elsewhere to eliminate the opportunity for mass shootings.
We need universal background checks and must close the private sale loophole and make sure all sales undergo a background check.
We must fund gun violence research and gun violence prevention/intervention programs and provide the CDC with dedicated funding to research gun violence as a public health issue.
I believe we need to renegotiate NAFTA and level the playing field by adding strong labor and environmental provisions. We need to take steps to prevent the outsourcing of American jobs, protect our air and water, and lift living standards in the United States, Mexico and Canada. I support a call from several progressive US Senators to take the following steps with regard to NAFTA:
- Add strong labor and environmental standards with swift and certain enforcement to raise standards and wages in North America and stop corporations from outsourcing U.S. jobs to Mexico to take advantage of abusive labor laws, poverty wages and lax environmental rules.
- Eliminate NAFTA terms that promote the outsourcing of American jobs such as the Investor State Dispute Settlement system.
- Protect our public health, the environment and ensure a level playing field for U.S. businesses, farmers and workers by requiring that all imported food, goods and services meet U.S. standards.
- Make medicine more affordable by eliminating NAFTA rules that increase costs.
- Ensure a fair playing field for American job creation by adding strong, enforceable disciplines against currency manipulation and misalignment.
- Create American jobs and reinforce improved labor and environmental standards by strengthening “rules of origin” and stopping transshipment.
- Boost the rural economy by overhauling NAFTA rules that harm family farmers.
- Support communities of color which have been among the hardest hit by NAFTA.
I strongly believe we need to improve our national transportation infrastructure, but I would advocate to pay for these increases by reversing the Trump cuts for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations. I would also consider imposing a windfall profits tax on the major oil companies. We must end subsidies to oil and fossil fuel companies, including any direct funding or tax giveaways that rig the game in favor of fossil fuels compared to more sustainable energy sources. I also believe the Department of Defense and other agencies should prioritize the hiring of veterans for construction projects, particularly as we consider large-scale improvements to our nation’s infrastructure.
If elected to Congress, I would strongly advocate for Medicare for All and join those supporting H.R. 676. According to Physicians for a National Health Program, 95 percent of all households would save money under such a program. Patients would no longer face financial barriers to care such as co-pays and deductibles, and would regain free choice of doctor and hospital, and doctors would regain autonomy over patient care.
In the near term, I believe we must work to repair and strengthen the Affordable Care Act (ACA). I believe that President Trump’s wanton neglect of the ACA is unconscionable. Many ideas to improve the ACA must be explored, including the implementation of “public option” early Medicare coverage within health insurance marketplaces, and the hiring of new full-time federal enrollment assisters to help Americans enroll.
I will defend Medicare and Medicaid, ensure young people can stay on their family health insurance plan, prevent discrimination against Americans with pre-existing conditions, and ensure veterans swiftly get the care and benefits they have earned.
I believe that the American Health Care Act (AHCA), recently passed by Republicans in the House of Representatives and fully supported by Darrell Issa (who cast the winning vote), is a dangerous tax cut for the very wealthy masquerading as healthcare reform. Independent analysis suggests that 36,400 residents in the 49th Congressional District will lose coverage under the AHCA, including 3,800 children.
Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
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Political Beliefs
Mike believes that it’s more important than ever to hold Washington accountable, protect the truth, and put country over party. Mike believes we are living in unprecedented times that require accountability, transparency, and a free press.
Mike supports efforts at the state level – including in California – to require Trump to make his tax returns public or be kept off the 2020 ballot. Mike also believes that Trump must fully divest from his businesses and enter into a blind trust with an independent trustee.
Mike will fight for fundamental campaign finance reform to reduce the corrupting influence of money in politics. Mike wants to explore all reform alternatives, including a Constitutional amendment, to curtail and reverse the damage done by the 2010 Citizens United and 2014 McCutcheon Supreme Court decisions.
Position Papers
Official Statement
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
49th District
MIKE LEVIN AGE: 39
Clean Energy Advocate
Our community faces serious challenges in the coming years. Climate change threatens our environment. The costs of health care, housing, and higher education continue to rise faster than wages. We need sustainable economic growth to maintain our quality of life.
But our leaders in Washington DC are stuck in partisan gridlock.
We need a Congressmember who will work across party lines in our best interests.
We need Mike Levin.
Mike Levin is an environmentalist who has worked to create good local jobs in sustainable energy.
Mike Levin and his wife Chrissy are parents who know the pressure of raising children and paying the bills while saving for college and a secure retirement.
As our next Congressmember, Mike Levin will work to make health care affordable and protect those with pre-existing conditions.
Mike Levin will renew our nation’s commitment to reducing global warming, oppose new offshore oil drilling, and clean up the toxic waste stored at San Onofre.
Mike Levin will protect Social Security and Medicare from efforts to cut and privatize those vital programs.
Mike Levin will support outstanding public schools and work to make college affordable.
Mike Levin is endorsed by San Diego County teachers and firefighters, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, National Organization for Women, Sierra Club, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, and by President Barack Obama.
Mike Levin will be a dedicated and conscientious voice for north San Diego County in the United States Congress. He has earned your support.
For more information: www.mikelevin.org
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The statement above was entered into Voter's Edge on 10/13/2018 by a League of Women Voters volunteer, using the PDF version of a sample ballot prepared by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters: https://www2.sdcounty.ca.gov/rov/Sample_Ballots/Eng/SB-ENG-260.pdf
That might not be your version of the sample ballot, though. To find your own sample ballot version, containing all the candidates and measures on your own ballot, please use the ROV's sample ballot look-up tool at https://www2.sdcounty.ca.gov/rov/Eng/ballot.asp .
Candidate Contact Info
My Top 3 Priorities
- Repeal the gas tax and continue tax reform
- Economic growth and job creation
- Keeping our promises to our veterans by reforming the VA
Experience
Experience
Who supports this candidate?
Organizations (1)
Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
Top contributors that gave money to support the candidate, by organization:
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Official Statement
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
49th District
DIANE L. HARKEY
Elected Taxpayer Representative and Businesswoman
As a Constitutional and State Representative for San Diego County, I’ve continually worked across party lines to get results for our district and state. I’ll take that same independent, problem-solving approach to Congress.
I am proud to have helped hundreds of women-owned businesses and others, overcome adversity and succeed. The National Federation of Independent Business rated me at 97% over five years.
I also serve as a co-Chair for the campaign to repeal the regressive gas/car tax increase that harms working families and businesses.
My 30-year career in business, banking and finance, raising a family, plus local government background, provides first-hand experience to be an effective and strong voice for you in Congress promoting:
Economy: I’ll champion tax and regulatory policies that promote economic growth, innovation, entrepreneurship, and workable, enforceable immigration and visa reforms.
Health Care: I’ll work for affordable health care policies that place patients and doctors first allowing them to decide what care is best. Better mental health care and preventing opioid addiction and homelessness will also be a priority.
Public Safety, National Defense: I’m committed to enhanced border security, walls where practical, and ensuring our nation and those that enforce laws and defend us are respected, funded, and their families receive the support and care they deserve.
San Diego Mayors, County Supervisors, City officials, Deputy Sheriffs Association, Veterans and Taxpayer groups endorse me.
“Diane has shown true leadership as a public servant including efforts to protect taxpayers and defend the middle class.” Mayor Kevin Faulconer
Visit: www.HarkeyforCongress.com
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The statement above was entered into Voter's Edge on 10/13/2018 by a League of Women Voters volunteer, using the PDF version of a sample ballot prepared by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters: https://www2.sdcounty.ca.gov/rov/Sample_Ballots/Eng/SB-ENG-260.pdf
That might not be your version of the sample ballot, though. To find your own sample ballot version, containing all the candidates and measures on your own ballot, please use the ROV's sample ballot look-up tool at https://www2.sdcounty.ca.gov/rov/Eng/ballot.asp .