Trump Endorsed
Polling Average
30%20%10%0%
27%
11.8%
9.8%
CA-48 primary: first place
$4.6K
JUN 6, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleCommissioner
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationCalifornia
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BackgroundPolitician
EducationSan Diego State University — B.S., Electrical Engineering (1985)
Notable personal detailsJim Desmond is a Republican politician and retired aviator serving on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (District 5) since 2019. He previously served on the San Marcos City Council and as mayor of San Marcos. Desmond served in the U.S. Navy and later worked as a commercial airline pilot, and he earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from San Diego State University.
SourcesShowHide
fec.goven.wikipedia.orgballotready.orgsupervisorjimdesmond.comvote-usa.orglegistorm.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgopencampaign.comdp.electionresults.sos.ca.govtheballotbook.comlinkedin.comvoteinfo.netdocquery.fec.govpunchbowl.newssandiegocounty.govreddit.comdesmondforcongress.comtimesofsandiego.comvillagenews.comkpbs.orgapnews.com10news.compatch.comthecoastnews.comtimes-advocate.comyahoo.comfranklinforsupervisor.comvoiceofsandiego.orgcbs8.comnbcsandiego.comsandiegouniontribune.comx.compolitico.comfox5sandiego.cominewsource.orgcalmatters.orghrc.orgnrcc.orgnytimes.cominkl.comhjta.orgocregister.compredictionedge.comvotesmart.orgdata.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgwikidata.orgapi.votesmart.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgstatic.votesmart.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcongress.govhistory.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Opposes new or higher local taxes and advocates addressing budget shortfalls by cutting or restraining government spending rather than raising revenue. Emphasizes protecting families from additional sales, vacancy, payroll, or property-related tax increases and prioritizing public safety within existing budgets.
Healthcare
Jim Desmond’s public record as San Diego County supervisor shows involvement in county healthcare program decisions and concern about healthcare access in rural communities, but his statements and votes on county-level reforms are limited and do not clearly align with a progressive or conservative national healthcare platform. Available sources document specific local votes (including at least one ‘no’ vote on a county medical program reform) and campaign material referencing healthcare limits in rural areas without endorsing Medicare for All, a public option, or explicit market-based federal‑
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Immigration & Border
The candidate favors stronger border enforcement and increased cooperation with law enforcement while opposing local policies that limit county assistance to federal immigration authorities. He has called the recent cross‑border migrant flows an invasion, proposed repealing county limits on cooperation with ICE, and urged more resources and restrictions to address illegal crossings and related public‑safety concerns.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate has opposed local measures to secure medication-based abortion supplies and was the lone county supervisor to vote against supporting a constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion rights in California. His actions indicate support for restrictions on expanded local or state-level abortion protections rather than advocacy for codifying unrestricted access.
Climate & Energy
Supports market-driven clean energy measures and incentives (including rooftop solar and consumer incentives for EVs and hybrids) while opposing mandates and some county-level climate regulations that he says would restrict housing; has promoted studies that consider a range of energy supply sources to preserve reliability.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate opposes several local gun-safety proposals and has voted against county measures that would advance gun-safety education and certain gun-safety resolutions. The candidate emphasizes support for law enforcement and public-safety measures rather than new local firearm regulations.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Jim Desmond is in the news because he advanced from the California 48th Congressional District primary and will face Democrat Marni von Wilpert in the general election. The race is being closely watched as a possible House control battleground, and Desmond was one of the top vote-getters in the crowded top-two primary. Recent reports also note that outside spending and national Republican support have increased around his campaign.
fec.gov+52
Articles
TNThe New York Times2 months ago
Marni von Wilpert and Jim Desmond Advance in a San Diego-Area House Race
Positive
PPOLITICO2 months ago
Democrat Marni von Wilpert and Republican Jim Desmond come out on top for Issa seat
Neutral
SDSan Diego Union-Tribune2 months ago
A crowded race for governor, a key congressional race and more: San Diego County wraps up 2026 primary election season
Neutral
NYNew York Post3 months ago
House GOP campaign arm expands its 2026 midterm target list in display of confidence
Positive
Polls
CA-48 primary: first place
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
CA-48 primary: first place
Endorsers of Jim Desmond for CA-48 primary: first place
Donald Trump
Public figure
Donald Trump endorsed Jim Desmond for California's 48th Congressional District.
Republican Party of San Diego County
Public endorsement
The Republican Party of San Diego County endorsed Jim Desmond for Congress.
Steve Scalise
Public figure
Steve Scalise endorsed Jim Desmond in a joint House Republican leadership statement.
Mike Johnson
Public figure
Mike Johnson endorsed Jim Desmond in a joint House Republican leadership statement.
Tom Emmer
Public figure
Tom Emmer endorsed Jim Desmond in a joint House Republican leadership statement.
Darrell Issa
Public figure
Darrell Issa endorsed Jim Desmond after deciding not to seek reelection.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$2.3M
$1.7M
$1.1M
$564.7K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$2.3M
$1.2M
$1.0M
$57.2K
Source: FEC