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“The residents of North County San Diego and South Orange County have already rejected Matt Gunderson once – and they’ll do it again this November. Gunderson has proven himself to be a rubber stamp on the GOP’s toxic agenda prioritizing the ultra-wealthy – tying himself closely to Donald Trump’s extremism in order to win his primary. In contrast, Mike Levin is an independent leader and problem solver who builds bipartisan consensus to deliver for families, seniors, and veterans, and Gunderson’s MAGA talking points will crumble against Levin’s record of results,” said DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene.
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To: Interested Parties
From: Dan Gottlieb
Date: March 6, 2024
Subject: The Case Against Matt Gunderson
After squeaking out a primary win by brandishing his support for Donald Trump, Matt Gunderson will once again struggle to make a compelling case to voters against Congressman Mike Levin’s long record of accomplishments.
Mike Levin is a proven fighter for North County San Diego and South Orange County. Since entering office, he’s fought to defend democracy, protect a woman’s right to choose, bolster public safety, and build coalitions across party lines to bring millions of dollars in investments home.
From passing over 30 bipartisan laws to returning tens of thousands of dollars in benefits for veterans, ensuring students from low-income families get the nutrition they need, and securing millions of dollars for environmental and infrastructure improvement projects, Levin comes ready to work every day for his community — and he’s not stopping now. With so much chaos and dysfunction in the halls of Congress, Mike Levin’s bipartisan leadership for Southern California stands out. Rep. Levin has followed through on his promises of working across the aisle and delivering meaningful results for Californians.
Meanwhile, Matt Gunderson is a Trump-supporting MAGA Republican and shady businessman who will have to explain to this overwhelming middle-class district why he supports means-testing Social Security and Medicare, believes seniors should be forced to “share the pain” by sacrificing their hard-earned benefits, and opposes California women’s right to choose. Gunderson would be a rubber stamp on MAGA Republicans’ agenda, and Mike Levin’s moderate, suburban district will not take kindly to Gunderson’s extreme stances.
A THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY AND REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM
No matter how he tries to deceive voters, Gunderson’s actions speak louder than his words. He openly opposed a measure to enshrine the right to abortion in California’s state constitution – which residents of California’s 49th District overwhelmingly supported – after trying to mislead people about being ‘pro-choice.’ In 2022, Gunderson also sought support from an organization advocating for a total ban on abortion without exceptions.
And if Gunderson’s allegiances weren’t already evident, his support for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election and his propagation of conspiracy theories about voter fraud make his priorities crystal clear. We cannot afford to have dangerous liars like Gunderson in Congress.
This also isn’t Gunderson’s first attempt at fooling voters into supporting him. He already ran for office in this district and was rejected by residents of North County San Diego and South Orange County – and before that, was rejected by voters in… Wisconsin.
A SHADY BUSINESSMAN ONLY OUT FOR HIMSELF
Gunderson’s business history is nearly as disqualifying as his politics. His businesses have been sued more than 60 times over allegations of employment discrimination, fraud, and cheating customers and contractors alike.
Despite describing himself as a self-made businessman, Gunderson got his businesses’ help by wrangling up to $600,000 in stimulus from the city of Mission Viejo. Opponents of the stimulus called Gunderson’s giveaway “corporate welfare” and the city council rejected these subsidies twice. But the city council reversed course after Gunderson’s high-powered father-in-law stepped in – helping grant the tax giveaway of up to $600,000.
Meanwhile, Gunderson took nearly $2 million in PPP loans that taxpayers forgave before selling his dealerships, but vehemently opposed support for working families through the Inflation Reduction Act – benefiting from federal aid while condemning financial relief for hardworking San Diego and Orange County residents.
A THREAT TO OUR HEALTH CARE AND SENIORS’ BENEFITS
Gunderson’s previous failed runs for office showed who he really is. When Gunderson was campaigning in Wisconsin, he advocated for gutting Social Security. He also made it clear that he’d make it harder for seniors to get their hard-earned benefits – even claiming seniors needed to “share the pain” of our economy.
To make matters worse, Gunderson also claimed that seniors must make “some sacrifices” on Medicare And Social Security. CA-49 residents can’t trust someone as cruel as Gunderson to represent them.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Times of San Diego: Rep. Levin Joins Bipartisan Colleagues in Legislation to Protect Coastal Ecosystems. [Times of San Diego, 12/19/23]
Times of San Diego: Rep. Levin Calls on FTC to Investigate Recent Surge in California Gas Prices [Times of San Diego, 9/29/23]
“Rep. Mike Levin led Democratic members of the California Congressional delegation in a letter urging the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the recent surge in gasoline prices. The letter sent Friday to FTC Chair Lina M. Khan went out as the average price in the state reached $6.08 per gallon — $2.25 more than the national average. The letter cited an unusual 50 cents per gallon increase in the spot market on Sept. 15 as an especially troublesome incident. ‘We appreciate the FTC’s commitment to close oversight of fuel markets in California and across the country,” the letter states. “We urge the FTC to continue to investigate and monitor the business practices of traders and refiners to ensure that these companies do not engage in any anti-consumer behavior.’”
San Diego Union-Tribune: Levin announces $53.9 million for San Diego County railroad projects day after landslide blocks tracks. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/25/24]
“Local elected officials made a whistle stop Thursday at the Oceanside Transit Center to announce $53.9 million in federal funds for San Diego County rail improvements, work they said is essential to protect the vital transportation link decades into the future. Just a day earlier, soon after another record-breaking rainstorm, a landslide in San Clemente stopped all train traffic between San Diego and Orange County.”
San Clemente Times: Rep. Levin-Led Summer EBT Program for Low-Income Students to Launch in 2024. [San Clemente Times, 2/26/24]
“Children in low-income families will have more access to nutritious foods once school lets out with the launch of the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children, a program sponsored by Rep. Mike Levin. Signed into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, the Summer EBT program will distribute roughly $2.5 billion in grocery benefits this summer to families in 35 states, all United States territories, and four Native American tribes. Under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s supervision, families will receive $120 per child ($40 per month) in the form of pre-loaded cards to spend at grocery stores, farmers markets and other authorized retailers.”
Roll Call: In a purple district, Rep. Mike Levin stays focused on green energy. [Roll Call, 1/11/24]
“Speaking to Roll Call in December, Levin talked up Democrats’ recent legislative accomplishments boosting wind and solar power while calling for permitting changes to smooth the way for more power lines to “fully unlock the potential of all the new renewable electricity we’re going to generate.”
San Diego Union-Tribune: Poll shows strong lead for Democrat Rep. Mike Levin seven weeks ahead of March primary. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 2/1/23]
PATH TO VICTORY
In California’s 49th Congressional District, Democrats continue to hold a 14,000+ voter registration advantage and the district continues to trend away from Republicans. Since 2016, Republicans have lost 5 points in their registration share while Democrats have picked up nearly 6 points. President Biden won this district in 2020 with almost 56% of the major party vote, a nearly 12-point margin, which was a nearly 3-point improvement from Secretary Clinton’s performance in 2016. Meanwhile, Rep. Levin has won three straight races in a row, despite Republicans targeting Levin every cycle with millions of dollars, and his campaign has built an unparalleled field program and grassroots volunteer base in California, fully operating in both the on-year and off-year.
The demographic shifts in Southern California aren’t the only factors bolstering Democrats. The biggest asset in California’s 49th is the Democratic candidate himself. Rep. Mike Levin has proven himself to be an independent leader in Congress; working with both parties to bring back tangible results for his constituents and put Southern California first in Congress. With his agenda of slashing Social Security to pay for tax cuts for the ultra-rich, Matt Gunderson doesn’t have a platform that resonates with voters. This November, the residents of California’s 49th District will reject Gunderson’s toxic agenda once again and send Rep. Mike Levin back to Congress. |
