Armen Kurdian
Candidate for U.S. Representative, Congressional District 49
Armen Kurdian is a Republican running for California's 49th District. The general election is November 3, 2026. He faces Democratic incumbent Rep. Mike Levin. Kurdian is a retired Navy Captain. He served 25 years, from 1993 to 2018. He worked in the GPS Navigation Systems Division of a Navy program office in San Diego. He won the Legion of Merit. He also won two Meritorious Service Medals. He also did maintenance work. That was at Naval Supply Systems Command in Philadelphia. He holds MBAs from Cornell and Queens Universities. He holds a Master's in Aeronautical Engineering too. That is from the Naval Postgraduate School. He now works as a senior systems engineer. That job is in defense consulting. He has also run his own small business. Kurdian lives in Vista, California. His wife and son live there too. He ran for Vista City Council once. That was in 2022, for District 4. He lost narrowly, to Dan O'Donnell. He won a party seat in 2024. That was on the San Diego County GOP Central Committee. He first filed for a state Senate seat this cycle. Then he switched to this House race. Kurdian placed second in the June 2, 2026 primary. He got 26.1% of the vote. That was 58,822 votes. He advanced alongside incumbent Mike Levin. Three groups have endorsed him. They are the California Republican Assembly, San Diego Young Republicans, and the Lincoln Club Business League of San Diego County. Home: Vista, California. Occupation: senior systems engineer, in defense consulting; retired Navy Captain. Prior office: none held. This is his first run for public office. He lost a 2022 bid for Vista City Council. He won a party post in 2024, not a public office.
On the issues
- Economy & Jobs
Supports bringing manufacturing and shipbuilding jobs back to California, backing small businesses, expanding apprenticeships/trade education, and reducing regulations that push employers out of state.
Source → - Taxes & Cost of Living
Identifies California's high cost of living as his top campaign priority and cites outmigration from the state as evidence of the problem, though he has not stated a specific federal tax or spending plan.
Source → - Health & Health Care
Says he will work to lower prescription drug prices, protect Medicare, and expand access to quality, affordable healthcare, with an emphasis on improved care for veterans.
Source → - Education & Schools
Advocates focusing public school curriculum on core academics (reading, writing, arithmetic, science) rather than what he describes as divisive social issues, and emphasizes restoring academic excellence.
Source → - Public Safety & Policing
Supports backing law enforcement, firefighters, and the Coast Guard with adequate resources.
Source → - Criminal Justice & Courts
Supports cracking down on fentanyl trafficking and cartel activity as a drug enforcement priority.
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Supports an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy aimed at lowering costs and reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
Source → - Foreign Policy & Defense
As a Navy veteran, emphasizes ensuring veterans receive earned care and benefits and that the U.S. military has adequate resources for national defense.
Source → - Government, Elections & Democracy
Supports congressional term limits and describes a general goal of ending corruption and reducing special-interest influence in government.
Source →
Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.