Without Issa to run against, leading Dems in CA-48 race find themselves in a new race
By Dan Friedell
Published on April 3, 2026.
Democrats in California's 48th District Congressional race are now competing in the June primary for a potential spot to face Republican incumbent Rep. Darrell Issa. This change comes after Issa dropped out of the race, leaving a wide-open field that Democrats are competing against County Supervisor Jim Desmond, former mayor of San Marcos. The state party will not endorse any candidate before the primary. The district was created by Prop. 50, a redistricting initiative designed to shift seats blue, and Issa's departure has not strengthened the Republican effort to hold the seat. Recent elections suggest a close race, with Joe Biden predicted to win by 7% in 2020 and Kamala Harris by 3.5% in 2024.
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