Longtime Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Bonsall, will not seek re-election to California’s 48th District, which includes parts of San Diego and Riverside counties, and is endorsing San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond to replace him.
“Today I’m announcing my enthusiastic endorsement of Supervisor Jim Desmond for Congress to represent California’s new 48th District,” Issa said Friday. “Jim is not only a personal friend, he’s a true patriot, a Navy veteran, a successful businessman, and has a 20-year record of public service. He understands this community, was born and raised here, and will make a terrific congressman.”
Issa, 72, said the decision had been on his mind for a while and he didn’t make it lightly.
“First, we built the right campaign infrastructure, support has been overwhelming, including from President Trump, and our polling was unmistakable. We would win this race,” Issa said. “But after a quarter-century in Congress, and before that, a quarter-century in business, it’s the right time for a new chapter and new challenges.”
Issa said serving in Congress has been the honor of his life.
“There is still work to be done throughout 2026 both in Washington and my beloved current 48th District. And as many days that remain, I’ll dedicate each one of them to the people I serve and the indispensable nation I have sworn to protect as a soldier in the Army and as a proud and grateful member of the people’s House of Representatives,” Issa said.
Desmond, a Republican, joins a crowded field of Democratic challengers including San Diego City Councilwoman Marni von Wilpert, former U.S. Labor Department official Ammar Campa-Najjar and Vista City Councilwoman Corinna Contreras.
The following Democrats from Riverside County are also running:
— Abel Chavez, a business broker and board member of the Nuview Union School District;
— Brandon Riker, a Palm Springs businessman and entrepreneur;
— Ferguson Porter, small business owner and writer who lives in Palm Springs;
Other candidates are Stephen Clemons, Nicholas Davis, Curtis Morrison, Ferguson Porter, Luis Reyna, Jerlilia Ryans, Mike Schaefer and Whitney Shanahan, all Democrats, and independent Mike Bucy.
“Congressman Issa set the bar for leadership in this district. I’m honored to have his endorsement and I’m ready to carry that forward,” Desmond said. “We need to rein in wasteful spending, secure our border, and actually lower costs for families who are still dealing with years of rising prices. People in this district deserve a representative who gets it, and I’m ready to deliver.”
Desmond, 69, said he has raised more than $1.5 million for the campaign and has deep roots in the district.
“Families in this district are getting squeezed from every direction, groceries, gas, rent, insurance. Politicians have only made it worse,” Desmond said. “The American Dream used to mean that if you worked hard and played by the rules, you could buy a home, raise your kids, and build something for the next generation. That promise is slipping away, and I’m running to bring it back.”
Von Wilpert responded to the news on social media, posting: “Adios Issa!”
“Republicans think they can fool voters by swapping one MAGA politician for another. They can’t. CA-48 is ready to flip blue,” she said. “I’ve beaten Republicans, the gun lobby, and big pharma before and I’m ready to flip this seat and take the fight to Donald Trump.”
Campa-Najjar also posted his reaction on social media.
“While I’m glad Darrell Issa will no longer represent CA-48, we cannot exchange one MAGA rubber stamp for another this November,” he said. “As a Navy officer and longtime fighter for this district, I’m ready to complete the mission and flip this seat for Democrats. This isn’t the first time a congressman suddenly quit on us, but it can be the last time. First Duncan Hunter, now Darrell Issa. Through it all, there’s been one constant. I’ve never quit on you, and never will. Let’s finish what we started and flip this seat together.”
As a result of no incumbent running for the office, the filing deadline for candidates was extended until 5 p.m. Wednesday.
California’s 48th Congressional District, which was redrawn after voters passed last year’s Proposition 50, includes the cities of Escondido, Temecula, Vista, San Marcos, Hemet, Palm Springs, Oceanside and Indian Wells, as well as unincorporated areas in both counties.