Mike Levin, a politician in California, has continuously demonstrated why he is in office. As he is serving in his third term as the Representative for the 49th CA district and running for a fourth term in November, he continues to promote his campaign with two ideals in mind: where he came from and where he wants to be in the future. 

Levin’s grandfather, Ted Levin, fought in WWII as a bomber against the Nazis, proudly as a Jewish man. Mike Levin has continuously remarked on how his grandfather has been a source of pride and motivation for his work. 

In an op-ed piece with the San Diego Union-Tribune, Levin wrote, “My grandpa, Ted Levin, served as a gunner with the 867th Bomb Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. He lost many friends during the war, and taught me that there is no higher calling than honoring the courage and bravery of our fallen heroes.”

He currently serves on the House Committee on Veteran Affairs and has passed 24 bipartisan laws regarding veterans’ health, resources, education and more. He also advocates for the Marine Corps, specifically Camp Pendleton in San Diego.

Being bipartisan has remained something that Levin is widely regarded for by residents and voters in both Southern California and Orange County. 

An article written by Phil Diehl of the San Diego Union-Tribune represented the admiration that has been polled by San Diego residents: “54 percent said they approve of the job Levin is doing (25 percent strongly approve, 29 percent somewhat approve).”

Nadia Razzaq, a Sage Creek High School alumna and a rising sophomore at the University of California, Berkeley who is currently majoring in political science, interned for Levin and attributes much of her academic career and direction to his work. 

“I interned for Mike August 2022 to November 2022. My internship was honestly pretty brief looking back but it changed everything for me,” Razzaq said. “It made me a political science major today and showed me how much one conversation matters.” 

Razzaq chose to intern for Levin because of his history as being bipartisan and a change-maker; two aspects of his occupation that have manifested such a compelling story. 

Levin’s passion for supporting veterans is not the only thing he feels strongly about, however. Additionally, Levin has voiced strong opinions on cultivating solutions for a cleaner environment. 

He studied law at Duke University and went into the field as an environmental attorney. He now serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and advocates for numerous climate-related clauses such as animal welfare, coastline welfare, removing nuclear fuel from coastlines and an overall endorsement of the planet’s worth. 

“Since joining Congress, I have secured over $900 million in federal funding for our district and passed 30 bipartisan laws. This is real, meaningful work that impacts the community I care deeply about,” Levin said. 

The topics he has been most vocal about have historically ranged from creating jobs and stopping gun violence to women’s health and immigration laws; all for the betterment of the district. 

“Despite the divisions in our politics, I work as hard as I can with Members of both political parties in Congress to enact change in our communities,” Levin said regarding political bias. “Every day, I bring the priorities and concerns of our district to Congress and fight hard for solutions to our country’s pressing challenges.”

Levin’s plans for the future include plans for the environment, as there is still much to do regarding limiting emissions and focusing on contributing less pollution.

“I am committed to advancing legislation to expand our country’s clean energy capacity and slow the impacts of climate change before it is too late.”

He also plans to continue working towards more rights for veterans, like his late grandfather whose middle name he carries.

In his authored op-ed written in 2021, Levin wrote, “Grandpa Ted passed away several years ago, but his influence is with me every day I serve in Congress. If he could, he’d remind me that I have a responsibility to protect and defend the Constitution, to vote soberly on legislation that could put our service members in harm’s way, to care for those who shall have borne the battle, and to prioritize public service for my constituents above all else.”

Levin, a Democrat, will be running against Matt Gunderson, a Republican, as Representative for the 49th district. 

Gunderson is known for his voiced opinions and advocacy for border security, job accessibility and lowering inflation for California residents.

Recently polled, the nonpartisan primary election surfaced with Levin prevailing by 51% of votes. However, Gunderson is still prevalent in the race. 

All aspects of his career considered, Levin will most likely utilize various components of his life and past to push the polls forward. He has proven skilled in his ability to draw back from his roots to indicate what will be most prevalent in his career. 

Dylan Boda, a freshman studying at MiraCosta in Oceanside, CA will be voting in the congressional election for the first time this year. Boda represents the roughly 23% of youth that will once again vote nationally for President in the fall. 

Regarding his political stance, Boda said he “will most likely vote for Mike Levin.” but also mentioned that he is still capable of being persuaded. 

Historically, the Legislative branch, including the Senate and House of Representatives, has been granted the most power. It was foreseen that to lead a democratically fair country, the people should be closest to their legislature and that Congress should advocate for Americans. 

Levin has centered his campaign around maintaining compromises and a winning attitude toward what he believes will be best for the 49th district. 

Razzaq reminisced about Levin’s previous campaign in 2022. “It was a positive mindset that drove the campaign to success and it came from Mike. It was really empowering and rewarding to simply be in the environment,” she said.

Only time will tell if Levin’s mindset including his own influence and leadership will be enough to secure a position in the House of Representatives again.

Time, and of course, the voters.