U.S. House · California's 48th District

North San Diego County, including Escondido, San Marcos and surrounding communities. Redrawn under Proposition 50 (approved November 2025); the old district voted 56%-41% for Donald Trump in 2024, while the new lines would have favored Kamala Harris 50%-47%, an 18-point shift toward Democrats.

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

RESULT · UNOFFICIAL UNTIL CERTIFIED

Marni von Wilpert, projected winner

Candidate	Votes	Share
Marni von Wilpert	114,358	59.3%
Jim Desmond	78,439	40.7%

About 62% of the expected vote counted. As of November 9. Winners take office next year. Counts can change until states certify. NBC News ↗

Sources re-checked September 25, 2026 · How we research

This is an open seat: incumbent Darrell Issa (R) is not seeking re-election. Democrat Marni von Wilpert and Republican Jim Desmond advanced from the June 2, 2026 top-two primary. Desmond and fellow Republican Kevin O'Neil combined for 48% of the primary vote, while nine Democratic candidates combined for 51%. Times of San Diego reporter Andrew Keatts described the race as among the most-watched in the nation, saying it could help determine partisan control of the House.[1]

On the November 3 ballot · 2 candidates

Marni von WilpertDPROJECTED WINNERSan Diego City Council member, District 5 (since 2020)Full profile →Jim DesmondRSan Diego County Supervisor, District 5Full profile →

Issue evidence — side by side

Recorded votes, documented positions and candidates’ own words are shown with sources. “In their own words” quotes a candidate on the topic without inferring a stance. Votes describe specific bills or motions; they do not establish overall support or opposition to a broad issue. A dash means our research has no evidence on that topic, not that the candidate has no position.

Protect legal access to abortion

Marni von Wilpert
Supports[4]
Says she will work to codify Roe v. Wade into federal law and reverse cuts to Planned Parenthood.
Jim Desmond
—

Stricter gun laws

Marni von Wilpert
Supports[4]
Says she will pursue gun violence prevention laws including banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, universal background checks and stronger red flag laws.
Jim Desmond
—

Expand immigration enforcement and deportations

Marni von Wilpert
—
Jim Desmond
In their own words[6]
“Enforce existing immigration laws to stop illegal crossings and overstays.”
On his campaign website's Secure Border page

Expand public health coverage

Marni von Wilpert
Supports[2]
Says she will fight to protect and expand the Affordable Care Act, restore ACA tax credits, and add a public option, while expanding Medicare's power to negotiate prescription drug prices.
Jim Desmond
—

Faster transition away from fossil fuels

Marni von Wilpert
—
Jim Desmond
Opposes[5]
Says he opposes mandates on costly energy alternatives and electric vehicles, and calls for using fossil fuels responsibly alongside incentives and clean-energy innovation such as carbon capture, hydrogen and nuclear power.

Broad tariffs on imported goods

Marni von Wilpert
Opposes[2]
Says she will fight against what she calls Donald Trump's tariff war, which she says has made essential goods more expensive.
Jim Desmond
—

ISSUE	Marni von Wilpert D	Jim Desmond R
Protect legal access to abortion	Supports[4] Says she will work to codify Roe v. Wade into federal law and reverse cuts to Planned Parenthood.	—
Stricter gun laws	Supports[4] Says she will pursue gun violence prevention laws including banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, universal background checks and stronger red flag laws.	—
Expand immigration enforcement and deportations	—	In their own words[6] “Enforce existing immigration laws to stop illegal crossings and overstays.” On his campaign website's Secure Border page
Expand public health coverage	Supports[2] Says she will fight to protect and expand the Affordable Care Act, restore ACA tax credits, and add a public option, while expanding Medicare's power to negotiate prescription drug prices.	—
Faster transition away from fossil fuels	—	Opposes[5] Says he opposes mandates on costly energy alternatives and electric vehicles, and calls for using fossil fuels responsibly alongside incentives and clean-energy innovation such as carbon capture, hydrogen and nuclear power.
Broad tariffs on imported goods	Opposes[2] Says she will fight against what she calls Donald Trump's tariff war, which she says has made essential goods more expensive.	—

Research notes & limits

Basic-tier research from Ballotpedia and campaign-site material. Both candidates are non-incumbents for this open seat, so no key-votes/FEC augmentation applies to prior House service; Jim Desmond's current-office details beyond county supervisor were not further verified. Biographies expanded 2026-10-21; neither candidate's official legislative or council bio page could be loaded, so Wikipedia and campaign pages supply some details; Desmond's mayoral end date is omitted because sources conflict.

Sources · 15

Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.

1.Marni von Wilpert · Ballotpedia Reference
2.Marni von Wilpert campaign website, quoted on Ballotpedia · Marni von Wilpert for Congress (via Ballotpedia) Candidate's own words
3.Jim Desmond campaign website, quoted on Ballotpedia · Jim Desmond for Congress (via Ballotpedia) Candidate's own words
4.Issues · Marni von Wilpert for Congress Candidate's own words
5.Energy · Jim Desmond for Congress Candidate's own words
6.Secure Border · Desmond for Congress Candidate's own words
7.Marni von Wilpert · Ballotpedia Reference
8.Marni von Wilpert campaign website, quoted on Ballotpedia · Marni von Wilpert for Congress (via Ballotpedia) Candidate's own words
9.About · Marni von Wilpert for Congress Candidate's own words
10.Marni von Wilpert · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
11.California's 48th District election results 2026 · NBC News News report
12.Jim Desmond · Ballotpedia Reference
13.Jim Desmond campaign website, quoted on Ballotpedia · Jim Desmond for Congress (via Ballotpedia) Candidate's own words
14.Jim Desmond · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
15.U.S. House · California's 48th District results 2026 · NBC News News report