U.S. House · California's 49th District
Armen Kurdian
CandidateR
- Race
- U.S. House · California's 49th District
- Result
- Mike Levin, projected winner
- Opponent
- Mike Levin (D)
- Research
- Basic
Party linenone
No recorded floor votes — not a current legislator in our records.
Said vs. did0 statements · 0 votes
Armen Kurdian, a Republican and retired U.S. Navy captain with more than 25 years of service, lost the November 3, 2026 election for the U.S. House seat in California's 49th District to Mike Levin, the incumbent he challenged. He had not previously held elected office. In his Ballotpedia survey he said he led large civilian, military and union organizations in the Navy and has volunteered in local nonprofits and local government since retiring.[1][2]
On the ballotU.S. House · 49
2026-11-03
| Mike Levin D | incumbent |
| Armen Kurdian R | challenger |
Advanced from the June 2, 2026 top-two primary with 26.1% of the vote, defeating fellow Republican Star Parker.
Biography
Armen Kurdian, a Republican and retired U.S. Navy captain with more than 25 years of service, lost the November 3, 2026 election for the U.S. House seat in California's 49th District to Mike Levin, the incumbent he challenged. He had not previously held elected office. In his Ballotpedia survey he said he led large civilian, military and union organizations in the Navy and has volunteered in local nonprofits and local government since retiring.[1][2]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
Kurdian attended Wichita East High School and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas in 1993.[1] He served in the U.S. Navy from 1993 to 2018 and retired as a captain, and says he led large organizations of hundreds of people, including civil, military and union workforces. He earned a graduate degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2003 and another from Cornell University in 2014.[1]
Kurdian lists engineering manager as his career experience. He says that after retiring he continued community service in local nonprofits and local government, volunteering thousands of hours without payment.[1] He advanced from the June 2, 2026 top-two primary with 26.1% of the vote, behind Levin (55.9%).[1] He received 42.3% of the vote to Mike Levin's 57.7%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[2]
In their own words
Priorities
- Reducing the cost of living, saying it is his top priority and citing residents leaving California over costs and job losses.[3]
- Improving public schools by focusing on core curriculum and vocational/trades training rather than what he calls polarizing social issues.[3]
- Rebuilding California's manufacturing and shipbuilding industries by working with business and labor.[3]
Statements, quoted without a stance
- Public funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)
“Schools are failing our kids, especially those of lower income who are unable to attend private or alternative schools.”[4]
In his 2026 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey
Campaign money$59K raised · 74% from individuals · FEC through 2026-06-30
Totals this cycle
Bars share one scale (raised = full). Cash on hand can include money carried over from earlier cycles.
Who gave
- Individuals $42K
- PACs & committees $1,000
- Own money & loans $14K
Largest committee contributions
- Majority PAC PAC$500
Direct contributions only; outside spending is not included. Individual donors are itemized in the FEC’s receipts. All itemized receipts ↗ FEC filing ↗
Profile: /people/armen-kurdian
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Sources cited in this profile
- 1.Armen Kurdian Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey (2026) · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey Candidate's own words
- 2.U.S. House · California's 49th District results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 3.Armen Kurdian - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · 2026-09-25 Candidate's own words
- 4.Armen Kurdian Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey (2026) · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey Candidate's own words