The race for California’s 49th Congressional District, which spans from south Orange County to northern San Diego County, is shaping to be competitive as voters cast their ballots this November. 

Since January 2019, the seat has been held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Levin, but Republicans and GOP challenger Matt Gunderson are hoping to flip the seat in next week’s election. 

Gunderson joined “Inside the Issues” host Amrit Singh to discuss his campaign to lead the district and why he believes his background as a business executive makes him the right person for the job. 

“I’m a businessman. I’m not a politician. I didn’t come up through the ranks of local government,” Gunderson said. “I think that gives me a completely different perspective of how we identify the issues and challenges facing our state and our country and how we find the practical, permanent, real solutions to those problems.”

Gunderson also discussed some key issues facing voters in the 49th District, including inflation, which Gunderson tied with his opponent’s record in Washington. 

“We have to start to make some difficult decisions by curtailing spending,” Gunderson said. “My opponent has signed on to every single excessive spending bill that has sparked our skyrocketing inflation.”

On immigration and border security, Gunderson maintained the importance of securing the border before the passage of comprehensive immigration reform. 

“Do I think we need comprehensive immigration reform? Absolutely,” Gunderson said. “But you can’t start talking about remodeling your kitchen when your house is on fire, and right now, our border is on fire.”

Watch the full interview in the video above.