CA-49: Another Opponent

​Last year, retired Marine Corps Colonel Doug Applegate (D) held Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) to only a 50.3% victory percentage, the closest US House race in the country.  While Mr. Applegate immediately announced that he would run again one the result became final, other Democrats who also have the desire to challenge Rep. Issa are coming forth.  Early in the year, attorney Mike Levin (D) became a candidate, raised a respectable $283,000 in the first quarter and apparently added more than $300,000 as will be revealed when the second quarter reports are soon released.  Yesterday, a third Democrat joined the race, real estate investor Paul Kerr.  California uses a nominating system often referred to as a “jungle primary.”  This means all candidates are on the same ballot in the June election, with the top two advancing to the general election.  A large number of Democratic candidates will ensure that Rep. Issa places first, since the opposition vote will be spread among several candidates, and could well dilute the winner’s strength once the general election begins.