by Miriam Raftery | May 13, 2026 9:55 pm
By Paul Levikow
Photos via campaigns, left to right: Marni Von Wilpert, Ammar Campa-Najjar, and Jim Desmond
May 13, 2026 (East County) — The race for California’s newly redrawn 48th Congressional District has become one of the most closely watched House contests in the nation, with Democrats hoping to capitalize on newly favorable district boundaries while Republicans rally behind San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond.
The district was reshaped after California’s Proposition 50 redistricting changes. It now stretches across parts of East County, North County, Palm Springs in Riverside County. What had long been a Republican-leaning district is now a far more competitive seat. The retirement of longtime Republican Congressman Darrell Issa opened the door to a crowded and increasingly contentious contest.
Among Democrats, San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert and former congressional candidate Ammar Campa-Najjar have emerged as two of the highest-profile contenders, while businessman Brandon Riker of Palm Springs has also invested heavily in the race. Republicans quickly consolidated around Desmond following Issa’s departure.
Democratic Field
Recent polling suggests the Democratic field remains divided while Desmond currently leads the overall field heading into the June primary.
A SurveyUSA poll compiled by 270toWin found Desmond leading with 25%, followed by Republican Mike O’Neil at 13%, Campa-Najjar at 12%, and von Wilpert at 6%, with a large bloc of undecided voters remaining. Political analysts note that Democratic fragmentation could complicate efforts to consolidate support in a district viewed nationally as critical to determining House control.
Von Wilpert has emphasized labor rights, gun violence prevention and abortion access, while Campa-Najjar, who formerly worked in the U.S. Labor Dept. during the Obama administration, has focused heavily on economic opportunity, democracy reforms and healthcare expansion. Desmond has centered his campaign on immigration enforcement, inflation and reducing federal spending.
East County Issues
Wildfire recovery remains one of the most significant concerns for East County voters, particularly in communities affected by repeated fire disasters over the past two decades. Democratic candidates in the race have generally supported continued federal disaster assistance and voiced opposition to proposals that would weaken the Federal Emergency Management Administration’s role in emergency response.
Von Wilpert has emphasized climate resilience, emergency preparedness and environmental protections in public statements and campaign materials. Campa-Najjar has similarly advocated for federal investment in wildfire prevention and infrastructure modernization. Desmond has focused more broadly on emergency preparedness and local control, while also criticizing what he describes as excessive federal bureaucracy and mismanagement.
Cleveland National Forest
Environmental policy has emerged as another major dividing line. Democratic candidates have opposed expanded logging, mining and road construction in federal wilderness areas and have pledged support for protecting the Cleveland National Forest and designated wilderness lands. Von Wilpert’s campaign has emphasized conservation and environmental enforcement, while Campa-Najjar has promoted climate-related infrastructure investment and renewable energy development.
Republicans, including Desmond, have generally supported expanded forest management policies aimed at wildfire mitigation, though critics argue such proposals could open sensitive lands to commercial development.
Immigration and Border Security
Immigration remains one of the sharpest contrasts among candidates. Desmond has strongly supported tougher border enforcement, increased deportations for undocumented immigrants convicted of crimes, and stronger immigration restrictions. His campaign platform emphasizes border security as a top priority. Campa-Najjar and von Wilpert have criticized mass deportation proposals and expressed support for preserving protections for DACA recipients and Afghan allies who assisted U.S. military operations abroad. Both candidates have argued that immigration reform should balance border management with humanitarian protections.
Foreign Policy
Foreign policy divisions have also emerged in the race, particularly regarding U.S. policy toward Israel and Iran. Von Wilpert has received endorsements from several pro-Israel Democratic organizations, including Democratic Majority for Israel PAC. The race has attracted substantial outside spending from labor unions, pro-Israel groups and national political organizations, highlighting broader Democratic divisions over Middle East policy. Campa-Najjar, who is of Mexican and Arab descent and whose family background has repeatedly become a subject of political attacks in prior campaigns, has emphasized diplomacy, national security and democratic alliances while condemning extremism and political scapegoating.
Social Issues
On abortion rights and LGBTQ+ protections, Democrats in the race strongly support federal protections for reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ equality. Von Wilpert has received endorsements from Equality California and LGBTQ Victory Fund, both citing her record supporting LGBTQ+ protections and abortion rights. Desmond has aligned more closely with conservative positions on social policy, including support for restrictions on transgender participation in women’s sports and greater parental control policies in schools.
Economy and Affordability
Voters throughout East County continue to rank inflation, housing costs and affordability among their top concerns. Desmond has campaigned on reducing federal spending, lowering taxes and promoting domestic energy production. Campa-Najjar has proposed expanding healthcare access, economic investment and workforce development initiatives, while von Wilpert has emphasized labor protections, affordable housing and wage growth.
Key Endorsements
The endorsement battle underscores the ideological divisions shaping the race. Campa-Najjar continues to maintain support among portions of the Democratic establishment and progressive grassroots activists, though some local Democratic leaders have increasingly aligned behind von Wilpert. Von Wilpert has secured support from labor unions, LGBTQ+ organizations, EMILY’s List and several Democratic elected officials. Desmond has earned support from former Congressman Darrell Issa and President Donald Trump.
Negative Campaigning
The CA-48 race has become notable for increasingly aggressive campaign attacks and outside political spending. Republican-aligned organizations including the National Republican Congressional Committee have repeatedly characterized both Campa-Najjar and von Wilpert as “radical” candidates while highlighting Democratic infighting.
Meanwhile, controversy has surrounded a campaign memo associated with Campa-Najjar’s campaign that critics alleged contained messaging viewed by some LGBTQ+ advocates as dismissive of LGBTQ+ candidates’ electability in Palm Springs and surrounding communities. Campa-Najjar supporters rejected accusations of anti-LGBTQ+ bias, arguing the memo focused on electoral strategy and demographic trends rather than sexual orientation. Campa-Najjar has also faced criticism over campaign materials featuring military imagery while serving in the Naval Reserve, prompting scrutiny regarding Pentagon political guidelines.
Von Wilpert has been targeted by conservative groups over her progressive record on immigration oversight, gun regulations and LGBTQ+ issues. Republican messaging has attempted to portray her as too liberal for swing voters in East County and Riverside County communities. Political observers say the negative campaigning reflects the high stakes of a district both parties believe could help determine congressional control.
The 48th Accountability Project has meanwhile criticized Desmond as being San Diego’s “most extreme” supervisor, putting “MAGA|” before constituents and being a Trump loyalist who supports cuts to healthcare and nutrition as well as supporting “dangerous” government overreach.
National Implications
With control of Congress potentially hinging on only a handful of seats, national parties and outside groups are expected to continue pouring millions into CA-48. For East County voters, the race presents starkly different visions on immigration, environmental protection, federal spending, social issues and the future direction of the district itself. As the campaign enters its final weeks before the primary, candidates face the challenge of persuading undecided and independent voters weary of negative campaigning and increasingly polarized national politics.
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