Polling Average
30%20%10%0%
27%
11.8%
9.8%
CA-48 primary: first place
$3.3K
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 an American politician and retired airline pilot who has served on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (District 5) since 2019. He previously served as mayor of San Marcos, California (2006–2018) and as a member of the San Marcos City Council (2004–2006). He is a U.S. Navy veteran and earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from San Diego State University. He is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House in California’s 48th congressional district in the 2026 election cycle.
SourcesShowHide
fec.goven.wikipedia.orglinkedin.comcongress.govthecandidate.comkpbs.orgvoiceofsandiego.orgnbcpalmsprings.comaxios.comnorthcoastcurrent.comapnews.comtimesofsandiego.comdocs.house.govdailykos.compredictionedge.comnbcsandiego.comdesmondforcongress.comsupervisorjimdesmond.comvillagenews.com10news.compatch.comthecoastnews.comtimes-advocate.comyahoo.comfranklinforsupervisor.comfoxnews.comlatimes.comlegal.x.comtwitter.compolitico.comblog.x.comvotesmart.orgabcnews.go.comballotready.orggovinfo.govlevin.house.govhistory.house.govhomeland.house.govepw.senate.govhouse.govdemocrats.house.govdocquery.fec.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 updatedJun 12, 2026
Jim Desmond has advanced from California’s 48th Congressional District top-two primary and will face Marni von Wilpert in the November election. The race is for the open seat left after Darrell Issa did not seek re-election, and early reports showed Desmond leading in a crowded field. The contest has drawn heavy outside spending and is being watched as a key House battleground.
fec.gov+41
Articles
RReuters9 days ago
Desmond and Marni von Wilpert projected to advance in California's 48th congressional district
Positive
TNThe New York Times9 days ago
Marni von Wilpert and Jim Desmond Advance in a San Diego-Area House Race
Positive
PPOLITICO9 days ago
Democrat Marni von Wilpert and Republican Jim Desmond come out on top for Issa seat
Neutral
SRSanta Rosa Press Democrat10 days ago
Democrats redrew California’s map to counter Trump. The primary tests whether it pays off for them
Neutral
Polls
CA-48 primary: first place
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1.9M
$1.4M
$952.3K
$476.2K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$1.9M
$1.1M
$815.0K
$47.9K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements