(FOX 5/KUSI) — From incumbents to outsiders, many candidates are vying to represent congressional districts that include San Diego County.
Since California’s redistricting due to the passage of Prop. 50, many voters may find themselves in a slightly changed district.
Five congressional districts include parts of San Diego County. California’s 48th District goes from Vista to Coachella Valley, CA-49 includes North County and continues along coastal communities of Orange County, CA-50 includes Poway and San Diego, CA-51 includes a lot of central San Diego and parts of East County, and CA-52 includes communities along the border.
With California’s June Primary Election, the top two candidates in each district will move on to the general election in November.
What to know ahead of the Primary Election: Your voter guide for San Diego County
A map of San Diego’s newly drawn congressional districts (San Diego County).
To find your district, visit the San Diego County website.
District 48
Congressional candidates for CA-48 (campaign courtesy).
Jim Desmond (R): Currently a member of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Jim Desmond announced he is running for CA-48 after incumbent Darrell Issa dropped out of the race.
Desmond is campaigning on lowering taxes, addressing inflation and improving public safety. Aside from the county office, Desmond is also the former mayor of San Marcos.
Featured endorsements: President Donald Trump, Rep. Darrell Issa, The San Diego County Republican Party
Ammar Campa-Najjar (D): Naval reserve member Ammar Campa-Najjar is running for Congress to improve affordability and protect democracy. Campa-Najjar has run for Congress and other offices before California’s redistricting.
Campa-Najjar is running on issues such as expanding healthcare, investing in clean energy and supporting veterans.
Featured endorsements: National Association of Letter Carriers, VoteVets, Bold Democrats
The contentious election to represent California’s newly drawn 48th District
Marni Von Wilpert (D): A current San Diego City Councilmember, Marni Von Wilpert hopes to protect her district from the federal administration and support working families. Von Wilpert has also served as a civil prosecutor in the city attorney’s office.
Von Wilpert is running on holding Immigration and Customs Enforcement accountable, making healthcare affordable and protecting the environment.
Featured endorsements: California Teachers Association, California Federation of Labor Unions, SEIU California and former Senator Barbara Boxer
Brandon Riker (D): Coming from the Coachella Valley, Brandon Riker now shares a district with some constituents in San Diego County. Riker is an economist and is on the board of SafePlace International.
His campaign notes that there are zero economists in Congress and that if elected, he will work to lower costs and raise wages.
Featured endorsements: Rep. Ro Khanna, Veterans for Democratic Action, Riverside County Young Democrats
Mike Schaefer (D): A current member of the California State Board of Equalization, Mike Schaefer represents people across several Southern California counties.
Elected in 1965, Schaefer is a former San Diego city councilmember.
He is running for Congress to be a “tax payer advocate” and challenge powerful interests.
Kevin Patrick O’Neil (R): The founder of a cybersecurity development firm, Kevin O’Neil describes himself as a tech entrepreneur and “corruption fighter.”
He has 35 years of experience in the cybersecurity industry and has been working in a small business. O’Neil is running to lower the cost of living, restore accountability, protect digital liberties and support military families.
Featured endorsements: Retired CEO of Mission Federal Credit Union San Diego, Ron Martin
Abel Chavez (D): Former Nuview Union School District board member and president, Abel Chavez hopes to bring “people-centered” policies to Congress. After working as an educator, Chavez joined his local school board to help make change.
Chavez is campaigning on Medicare for All, expanding educational opportunities for students and ensuring due process in immigration.
Featured endorsements: Political Integrity PAC, Progressive Victory PAC, National Association of Letter Carriers
Stephen Clemons (D): A former assistant superintendent in San Diego County, Stephan Clemons is running on platforms such as ending U.S. involvement in foreign wars, opposing California tax increases and to support middle class constituents.
Clemons also wants to challenge cuts to food assistance programs, rising healthcare prices and Meals on Wheels for seniors. Additionally, he wants to stop certain animal testing, such as the kind that targets beagles like his own.
Corinna Contreras (D): A current Vista city councilmember, Corinna Contreras is a lifelong Vista resident. Additionally, she was the city’s first Latina and LGBTQ+ councilmember.
Contreras has pushed for Vista to protect immigrants, using cannabis tax revenue to fund important services and bringing change to the city. She believes housing and healthcare are human rights, wants to protect women’s reproductive rights and break up monopolies if elected.
Featured endorsements: Democratic Woman’s Club of San Diego, Democratic Club
of Vista, San Diego Progressive Democratic Club, Courage for Democracy
Ferguson Porter (D): Having lived in Los Angeles, Dallas and now Palm Springs, Ferguson Porter says he knows what it’s like to struggle to make rent. He added that he has experience as a small business owner.
He is campaigning on protecting social security and Medicare, pushing for higher wages and investing more in public schools.
Luis Reyna (no party preference): Hoping to honor veterans, seniors and people with disabilities, Luis Reyna plans to push for living wages, stable housing and secondary education for his constituents.
His campaign website adds that he will honor Native American sovereignty and treaty rights and also support vulnerable groups.
Eric Shaw (D): A Temecula local, Eric Shaw is running for Congress to improve access to healthcare, create jobs and support rural communities.
Currently, Shaw is a digital marketing executive and believes Congress needs fewer career politicians. His campaign website states the race is not about political party but about mirroring the voices of the district.
District 49
Congressional candidates for CA-49 (campaign courtesy).
Mike Levin (D): Incumbent candidate Rep. Mike Levin has been in Congress since 2019. He currently sits on the House Committee on Appropriations and previously served on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Levin is campaigning on bringing down electricity prices and increasing affordability. Specifically, he is pushing for the Energy Bills Relief Act and Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act.
Featured endorsements: California Democratic Party, End Citizens United, California Federation of Labor Unions, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria
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Armen Kurdian (R): A Navy veteran with 25 years of service, Armen Kurdian believes his campaign is not just about “talking points,” but issues he’s lived through. Kurdian states he is running to make CA-49 the best place to raise a family.
According to his campaign website, he is running to put “faith and family” first and to ensure Americans feel safe in their homes.
Featured endorsements: California Republican Assembly, San Diego Young Republicans, Lincoln Club Business League of San Diego County
Star Parker (R): Star Parker is the founder of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and writes a weekly column that runs in conservative-leaning outlets such as NewsMax, Fox News and The Epoch Times.
According to her website, she is running to promote religious beliefs, limit the role of the government and provide economic freedom.
District 50
Congressional candidates for CA-50 (campaign courtesy).
Scott Peters (D): Incumbent Rep. Scott Peters has been a member of Congress since 2013. Since taking office, Peters has introduced legislation such as the HYdropower Permit Extension, Protect Medical Innovation and the Housing Assistance Efficiency Act
He is campaigning on creating higher-paying and quality jobs, making college affordable for families and ensuring clean air and water.
Endorsements: San Diego County Democratic Party, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, End Citizens United, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria
Aishwarya Mitra (D): Aishwarya Mitra, also known as “Sparky,” entered politics after getting involved in progressive campaigns. A recent UC San Diego graduate, Mitra believes she is ready to bring new representation to CA-50.
Mitra is campaigning on platforms such as affordability, universal single-payer healthcare and the Green New Deal.
Featured Endorsements: San Diego Democratic Socialists, San Diego Progressive Democrats, Track AIPAC
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Tim Arnous (D): According to his campaign website, Tim Arnous is an entrepreneur and young parent. He grew up throughout San Diego County and graduated from the University of Newcastle.
Arnous is campaigning on taking on corporate PACs, getting money out of politics and affordability. Additionally, he is proposing a data privacy bill of rights, rent relief and universal healthcare.
Steve Cohen (R): Not coming from a political background, Steve Cohen is the former KUSI news director. According to his campaign website, he has made a career of asking politicians tough questions.
He is campaigning on making San Diego affordable, protecting seniors from Social Security and Medicare cuts and ensuring fiscal accountability.
Featured endorsements: San Diego County Republican Party
Lucinda Jahn (no party preference): Running with no party preference, Lucinda Jahn says she only owes accountability to her constituents. She is currently a technician and crew manager for concerts and other events.
Jahn is campaigning on establishing term limits, supporting reproductive rights and civic responsibility.
Joseph Shea (L): Libertarian candidate Joe Shea is a former educator, teaching math for 30 years in the county. According to his campaign website, he is running as a libertarian in order to overturn the current republican majority.
Shea states he would vote to impeach Trump. He is campaigning on protecting immigrants, reducing tariffs and limiting government involvement in healthcare.
District 51
Congressional candidates for CA-51 (campaign courtesy).
Sara Jacobs (D): San Diego incumbent Jacobs was elected to the U.S. House in 2020 and is now in her third term. Since her time in office, Jacobs has introduced legislation to protect sexual health data, invest in childcare, and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee.
Jacobs is also one of the wealthiest members of Congress, having an estimated net worth of $91.61 million, according to Quiver Quantitative.
Endorsements: San Diego County Democratic Party, Clairemont Democratic Club, San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Ricardo Cabrera (R): A self-described cybersecurity professional and small business owner, Ricardo Cabrera is campaigning on establishing congressional term limits, creating more opportunities for entrepreneurs and addressing affordability.
According to his campaign website, he is also running to address corruption and expand domestic energy production to make the U.S. more energy independent.
Endorsements: San Diego County Republican Party, Reform California
Stan Caplan (D): While running as a democrat, Caplan is running on platforms such as supporting law enforcement, parental choice in children’s education and cracking down on undocumented immigration.
Caplan’s campaign website displays a photo of a Trojan horse and states, “A REPUBLICAN CANNOT WIN BUT I CAN!” He ran against Jacobs in 2024. Additionally, he is campaigning on auditing SDG&E and establishing term limits.
District 52
Congressional candidates for CA-52 (campaign courtesy).
Juan Vargas (D): First elected to the U.S. House in 2021, incumbent Rep. Juan Vargas represents much of South Bay San Diego. Vargas has passed legislation such as the 2019 Chicano Park Preservation Act, the Find Trafficking Act and bills within the American Rescue Plan.
Vargas typically votes aligned with Democratic party lines, particularly within the San Diego delegation. However, in March, Vargas was one of six House Democrats to vote against the War Powers Resolution, which attempted to pause involvement in the U.S.-Iran war.
Endorsements: California Professional Firefighters, California Young Democrats
San Diego Primary Election: Chula Vista’s key races
Jeff Belle (R): According to his campaign website, Jeff Belle served on the county transit authority and emergency medical advisor boards. Additionally, it states he is a U.S. Navy Veteran and community leader.
Belle is campaigning on supporting charter school options, deregulating tax codes for small businesses, and securing the border.
Frances Yasmeen Motiwalla (D): Community organizer Frances Yasmeen Motiwalla is campaigning on declaring a climate emergency, divesting from militarist spending and affordability.
Yasmeen’s website describes them as a feminist and anti-racist who is pushing for regenerating the economy, and according to their campaign, Yasmeen has more than 20 years of organizing experience.
Endorsements: Peace Action, Americans for Democratic Action, Burbank Mayor Konstantine Anthony
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