ENCINITAS — San Diego County’s five congressional districts are up for grabs this November, with four Democrats seeking to retain their seats and a race for the 48th Congressional District that could help determine control of Congress.
The 48th District — spanning portions of San Diego and Riverside counties — was previously represented by longtime Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, who announced his retirement earlier this year. It has been identified as a key swing district after its lines were redrawn following the passage of Proposition 50.
Republican Jim Desmond, a San Diego County supervisor, and Democrat Marni von Wilpert, a San Diego City Council member, are vying to represent a region that has been the lone Republican-represented congressional district in San Diego County.
Desmond, a U.S. Navy veteran, former Delta Air Lines pilot, and former mayor of San Marcos, is prioritizing border security and affordability, according to his campaign website.
Desmond says he supports establishing a “strong, fair, and dignified immigration system” that prevents illegal border crossings while creating “an efficient legal process for those who follow the rules.”
As supervisor, he voted against repealing a San Diego County policy that limits local assistance to federal immigration enforcement and testified before the House Committee on Homeland Security two years ago, saying migrants were straining San Diego County resources.
On affordability, Desmond says he would address cost-of-living issues by lowering taxes, reducing “overregulation” and supporting job growth.
Von Wilpert, a former civil prosecutor with the San Diego City Attorney’s Office, says on her campaign site that she turned the city’s “most conservative council district blue — and she’s ready to do it again in Congress.”
On immigration, she says she supports “meaningful reform” that will keep borders secure and provide legal pathways to citizenship, while also seeking to hold federal immigration enforcement agencies “accountable” for “terror tactics and un-American, unconstitutional attacks on our community.”
She was among a group of council members who forwarded a resolution authorizing the City Attorney’s Office to support lawsuits filed in other states against the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies for actions that “undermine our shared American values of life, liberty, and due process.”
Von Wilpert also said she would combat affordability issues by working to undo tariffs introduced by the Trump administration and push back on corporate interests that she says have contributed to price hikes for average Americans.
In the 49th District — which covers North County and southern Orange County — Democratic incumbent Mike Levin faces Republican candidate Armen Kurdian.
Levin has represented the 49th District since 2019.
Cost-of-living issues are a key concern for him. He says high costs have prevented Americans from accessing affordable housing, food and health care.
Environmental and energy issues also remain a priority for Levin, who says that if elected to a fifth term, he would support legislation to reduce energy costs and advance clean energy initiatives to offset climate change impacts.
On immigration, Levin says he supports secure borders but opposes the Trump administration’s enforcement tactics, which he said have largely involved arrests of people who were not accused of violent crimes. Levin is a co-sponsor of the DIGNITY Act, legislation that he says “would address border security challenges, provide a solution for undocumented immigration, and strengthen our workforce.”
Kurdian, a retired Navy captain challenging Levin, says he would work to help Americans struggling with cost-of-living issues by opposing new federal taxes and cutting government spending, while also investing in energy infrastructure that lowers costs.
He also advocates keeping jobs in California by bringing manufacturing into the state and cutting “job-killing regulations,” according to his campaign site, which also highlights his priorities of expanding access to affordable health care and supporting law enforcement and veterans.
Kurdian said recent immigration enforcement efforts have prevented migrant deaths by dissuading them from making the perilous trek across the borders, and said he supports facilitating legal avenues for immigrants to become American citizens.
The 50th District — covering coastal areas of San Diego and extending north into San Marcos and Escondido — features a race between longtime Democratic Rep. Scott Peters and Republican challenger Steve Cohen.
Peters has served in Congress since 2013 and previously chaired the San Diego Unified Port District and served on the San Diego City Council.
Peters said if reelected, he would work to tackle the region’s housing crisis and the cross-border pollution flowing into San Diego County from the Tijuana River Valley. Advancing legislation to combat climate change and expedite clean energy projects was also among his key concerns.
Peters said his opposition to the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration led him to introduce the Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act, which he says would limit immigration enforcement agents’ use of “military-style” tactics during operations and mandate transparency standards such as body camera requirements and limitations on agents wearing masks.
Cohen, the former news director for local TV station KUSI, said on his campaign website that he’s running for Congress “because I’ve watched from behind the camera long enough.”
Cohen said he would address affordability issues affecting San Diegans by expanding housing supply and job growth. He also said he would pursue a balanced budget by valuing transparent government spending and eliminating wasteful spending.
Cohen also said he approved of strong immigration enforcement and the elimination of “sanctuary cities.”
In the 51st District — which includes central portions of San Diego and parts of East County, including El Cajon, La Mesa and Spring Valley — Democratic incumbent Sara Jacobs faces Republican challenger Ricardo Cabrera.
Jacobs, seeking a fourth term, said she would pursue more housing construction and expand rental assistance to combat the housing affordability crisis. She also supports free, universal child care, which she says will help local families stay afloat.
On immigration, Jacobs said she supports expanding legal pathways to immigration, while also condemning federal immigration enforcement tactics that have largely targeted migrants with nonviolent histories.
Cabrera advocates for congressional term limits, addressing cost-of-living burdens for everyday Americans and American energy independence, according to his campaign website.
The 52nd District in southern San Diego County will see Democratic incumbent Juan Vargas facing a challenge from Republican Jeff Belle.
Vargas, who is seeking his eighth term in Congress, has served in Congress since 2013 and previously served in the state Senate, state Assembly and San Diego City Council.
He says addressing cross-border wastewater pollution from the Tijuana River Valley and lowering costs to help families afford housing and make ends meet are among his chief concerns.
Vargas also said he supports pathways to citizenship and “humane” immigration policies, while criticizing the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics, which he says have lacked proper oversight.
Belle says he would address the Tijuana River crisis and help small businesses if elected. On immigration, Belle said he supports lawful immigration and strong border security that takes “tougher action against cartels and smugglers.”
Read more local election coverage at The Coast News.
