Armen Kurdian
R · U.S. House, CA-49 · Tier 1/2
Tier 1/2, between “Firmly pro-Israel” and “Mainstream pro-Israel”
A retired Navy captain (25 years) and engineering manager challenging Rep. Mike Levin, he runs on the cost of living, schools and jobs; his media page lists Fox News analyst appearances on the war, including a Fox News @ Night segment headlined “Israel Enters Second Stage of War Against Hamas” and one on the IDF’s seizure of the Rafah crossing. In an October 2023 Fox News segment (“How Israel can force Hamas to ‘surrender or die’”) he said that while the U.S. should not get directly involved, it needs to provide Israel with all the equipment it can. Asked in iVoterGuide’s 2026 general-election questionnaire whether the U.S. relationship with Israel is important, Kurdian answered: “Yes, I believe the United States’ relationship with Israel is important. Israel is an important ally in the Middle East and helps protect against threats. Israel is also a democracy and has a strong economy, making it an important trade and security partner for the United States.”
A 1/2, on a thin record: one questionnaire answer and a few television remarks. Asked by iVoterGuide in 2026 whether the U.S. relationship with Israel is important, Kurdian called Israel “an important ally in the Middle East” that “helps protect against threats.” That is unqualified support, with nothing on aid, weapons, Gaza or Palestinian civilians. His Ballotpedia survey and campaign site are silent on Israel policy. His television appearances as a military analyst are mostly analysis of Israel’s strategy, but some carry stated views: in October 2023 he told Fox News that while the U.S. should not get directly involved, it needs to provide Israel with all the equipment it can, again with nothing on Gaza’s civilians, and in May 2024 he faulted the ICC arrest-warrant requests, saying “Palestine is not recognized,” and called Rep. Rashida Tlaib “Congress’s largest anti-Semite in decades,” saying she was “spouting terrorist propaganda.” There is no leadership on the issue: no vote, bill or other act on Israel is on record. Counter-case: unrated until he says more.
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elect26 places 2026 midterm candidates on a six-tier spectrum, from 1 (most pro-Israel) to 6 (most critical of Israel).