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Ballot Explained

U.S. House · November 3, 2026

Who's running in California's 48th congressional district

2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.

Candidates
2
Incumbent
Open seat
Parties
Republican · Democratic
State primary
Jun 2

Candidates appear in ballot order. We do not rank them, score them, or recommend one — here is how this is put together, and here is what the office actually does.

2 candidates · ballot order · open seat

Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.

What they say they stand for

Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.

  • Bringing down the cost of living, which he calls the reason working families and seniors are leaving California.
  • Immigration reform.
  • Public safety and homelessness.
  • Expanding mental health services.
  • Lowering energy costs.

What they’ve actually done

Documented record from official sources.

  • San Diego County supervisor for the 5th district since 2019.
  • Mayor of San Marcos for twelve years.
  • U.S. Navy veteran and retired airline pilot.
  • Endorsed by retiring Rep. Darrell Issa.
  • Entered the general election with more than $1.2 million in cash on hand.
  • Took about 41% in the June 2, 2026 primary, finishing first.

Arguments in favor

  • He is a moderate problem-solver with local executive experience — twelve years as a mayor and seven as a county supervisor — running on affordability, homelessness and mental health rather than national fights.

    — Jim Desmond's campaign

  • Darrell Issa, the district's retiring member, has endorsed him as his successor.

    — Darrell Issa

Arguments against

  • He is a Trump-aligned extremist pursuing a national partisan agenda, not the moderate he presents himself as.

    — Marni von Wilpert, his opponent

  • The district as redrawn voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in 2024, and his record as a county supervisor sits to the right of it.

    — Marni von Wilpert's campaign

What we couldn’t verify

  • A campaign website could not be confirmed; the positions above come from his launch coverage and local reporting.
  • His positions on abortion, Medicaid and tariffs were not stated in material available.
  • His response to the characterisation of his record as extreme.
Sources:fox5sandiego.comkpbs.orgnews.ballotpedia.orgballotpedia.orgtimesofsandiego.com

What they say they stand for

Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.

  • Confronting the current administration, which she frames as ending "the chaos and corruption."
  • Limiting state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
  • Affordability and cost of living in North County San Diego.
  • Local government service delivery, drawing on her council record.

What they’ve actually done

Documented record from official sources.

  • San Diego city councilmember for District 5 since 2020.
  • Lawyer; previously a candidate for the California State Senate.
  • Added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Red to Blue programme after the primary.
  • Voted on the city council to reduce police overtime funding, a vote Republicans cite against her.
  • Entered the general election with about $825,000 in cash on hand after a costly primary.
  • Took about 20% in the June 2, 2026 primary, finishing second.

Arguments in favor

  • She is the candidate willing to stand up to the administration and end what she calls the chaos and corruption, in a district that has just been redrawn to lean Democratic.

    — Marni von Wilpert's campaign

  • National Democrats put her on their Red to Blue list of priority pickup candidates after the primary.

    — Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Arguments against

  • She holds an open-borders position — she has said "we shouldn't be cooperating with immigration enforcement in California" — and voted to cut police overtime funding as crime rose.

    — National Republican Congressional Committee

  • She came out of a bruising primary financially outmatched, with about $825,000 to her opponent's $1.2 million, having proved she will put the party's left ahead of San Diego families.

    — National Republican Congressional Committee

What we couldn’t verify

  • A campaign website could not be confirmed; the positions above come from her launch coverage and reporting.
  • Her positions on health care financing, trade and energy were not stated in material available.
  • Her response to the police overtime and immigration enforcement claims.
Sources:kpbs.orgnrcc.orgnrcc.orgkpbs.orgen.wikipedia.org

Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.

This seat is open. Republican Darrell Issa announced on March 6, 2026 that he would not run for re-election. California's June 2, 2026 top-two primary sent San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, with about 41%, and San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, with about 20%, to the November ballot. Proposition 50 shifted the district roughly 18 points toward Democrats; on the new lines the 2024 presidential vote would have been about 50% to 47% Democratic. A July poll found the two candidates in a statistical tie. Roster confirmed against KPBS, CBS8 and Ballotpedia.

This is one contest on a longer ballot

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