San Diego County's Dist. 48 congressional race could sway balance of power

San Diego County’s five congressional districts are up for grabs Tuesday, with four Democrats seeking to reclaim their seats and a race for the 48th Congressional District that could determine control of Congress.

Here’s what to know about the divisive race.

Who is running for Congressional District 48?

Republican Jim Desmond, a San Diego County supervisor, and Democrat Marni von Wilpert, a San Diego city councilmember, are vying to represent a region that has been the lone Republican-represented congressional district in San Diego County.

Where do the candidates stand on top issues?

Desmond, also a U.S. Navy veteran, former Delta Air Lines pilot, and former mayor of San Marcos, is prioritizing border security and addressing affordability issues, according to his campaign website.

Desmond states on his site that 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, where he said 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.”

On the city council, she was among a group of councilmembers 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 pushing back on corporate interests that she says have contributed to price hikes for average Americans.

Why does the race for District 48 mater?

The 48th District, spanning portions of San Diego and Riverside counties, was previously represented by longtime Republican Congressman 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.

What other congressional races are there in San Diego County?

San Diego County is represented in the U.S. House by four other candidates. Here’s who is running in each of those races.

District 49

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 issue for him this election, and he says they have prevented Americans from having affordable access to housing, food, and healthcare.

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 in order to offset climate change impacts.

On immigration, Levin says he supports secure borders, but said he opposes the Trump administration’s immigration 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 U.S. 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 energy 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 healthcare and supporting law enforcement and veterans.

On immigration, 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.

District 50

The 50th District, covering coastal areas of the city of San Diego and up north into San Marcos and Escondido, features a race between longtime Democrat Scott Peters and Republican challenger Steve Cohen.

Peters has served in Congress since 2013 and previously was chair of the San Diego Unified Port District and a member of the San Diego City Council.

Peters said if re-elected 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.

Regarding immigration, Peters said his opposition to the Trump administration’s enforcement efforts led him to introduce the Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act, which he says would limit immigration enforcement agents from employing 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, “I’m running for Congress because I’ve watched from behind the camera long enough.”

Cohen said he would address affordability issues that have affected San Diegans by expanding housing supply and job growth. He also said he would pursue a balanced budget by valuing transparent government spending and the elimination of wasteful spending.

Cohen also said he approved of strong immigration enforcement and the elimination of “sanctuary cities.”

District 51

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, who is seeking a fourth term, said she would pursue increased housing construction and an expansion of rental assistance in order 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.

District 52

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 been a congressman 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 in order 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 been conducted without 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.”