Democratic candidate Mike Levin (CA-49) speaking at a campaign rally in early October. Image by Getty

By Ari Feldman November 6, 2018

Darrell Issa announced Tuesday morning on Fox News that the race to replace him would be won by the Democratic challenger, Mike Levin. Issa represents California’s 49th Congressional district, which covers a long coastal stretch between San Diego and Long Beach. Diane L. Harkey is the Republican running to replace him.

“My district was never in play this cycle. And so it was never funded and quite frankly we know the results already and there will be a Democrat representing La Jolla to Solana Beach for the first time in a number of years,” he said in a live interview.

Issa announced his retirement in January of this year, ending an 18-year career in the U.S. House of Representatives.

FiveThirtyEight has predicted that Levin will has a 29 in 30 chance of winning the seat in Tuesday’s elections.

“I have to remind people I took that part of the district from a Democrat and someday it will be taken back,” Issa said. “For now California is leaning very hard to the left.”

Shortly after Issa spoke on Fox, Levin wrote on Twitter, “Take nothing for granted.”

EXPLORE ALL THE RACES WITH JEWISH CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES IN OUR INTERACTIVE MAP

Ari Feldman is a staff writer at the Forward. Contact him at feldman@forward.com or follow him on Twitter @aefeldman

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount