Discovery Insights Elections Candidates Calendar Watchlist

Democrat

Marni von Wilpert

Democrat

Marni von Wilpert

CA-48 primary: first place

$4.6K

JUN 6, 2026

Primary Election

Party selects its nominee.

Overview

Current roleCouncil Member

PartyDemocratic

Political ideologyModerate Democrat

GenderFemale

LocationCalifornia

BackgroundAttorney

EducationUniversity of California, Berkeley — B.A., Peace and Conflict Studies

Notable personal detailsMarni Lynn von Wilpert is an American attorney and politician serving on the San Diego City Council representing District 5 (since 2020). She is a Democrat and a candidate for the U.S. House in California’s 48th congressional district. She earned a B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of California, Berkeley and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.

SourcesShow

fec.gov en.wikipedia.org sandiego.gov kpbs.org nrcc.org epi.org legis1.com electionscali.com kesq.com integrityindex.us ivoterguide.com elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov docquery.fec.gov cacities.org crpa.org blackmountaindemocrats.org obrag.org marnivonwilpert.com eastcountymagazine.org timesofsandiego.com afghanevac.org plannedparenthoodaction.org nbcsandiego.com sandiegosierraclub.org usdrugrehab.org bradypac.org voiceofsandiego.org latimes.com votesmart.org blog.x.com static.votesmart.org cdn.ballotpedia.org ballotready.org voterguide.ballotpedia.org developer.ballotpedia.org de.wikipedia.org frontpage.ballotpedia.org

Positions

LiberalConservative

Economy & Taxes

Supports policies that increase wages for workers and favors using public revenue to expand social investments such as public pre-K and higher education; has backed city measures that raise or adjust local fees/taxes to address budget needs. Her record shows support for progressive labor and local-revenue measures rather than tax cuts.

Healthcare

Supports expanding access to quality healthcare and public-health investments, including behavioral health and reproductive health protections; aligns with labor and healthcare worker organizations advocating for stronger accountability and investment in care. Emphasizes public-health measures (e.g., enforcement of pandemic rules, flavored-tobacco restrictions) and backing from healthcare worker unions.

Immigration & Border

The candidate supports expanded legal pathways for at least some refugees and has sponsored local measures opposing aggressive federal immigration enforcement tactics while emphasizing due process. Positions focus on protecting asylum access and offering routes to lawful status for specific groups rather than advocating enforcement-first policies.

Abortion & Reproductive Rights

Supports reproductive rights and has acted to protect access to abortion care; identified as a champion for reproductive rights in her campaign materials and has received endorsements from reproductive-rights organizations. Positions emphasize protecting reproductive freedom following the Dobbs decision.

Climate & Energy

Supports meeting local climate action goals, investing in clean energy and transit, and measures to reduce carbon emissions such as electrifying vehicle fleets and expanding transit and resilience projects. Emphasizes protecting air and water quality and funding climate-resilience and restoration projects. Positions favor moderate climate investment and transition measures while pursuing local regulatory and infrastructure actions.

Public Safety & Guns

Supports gun violence prevention measures including local restrictions on untraceable “ghost” guns and measures to increase firearm accountability while also supporting fully funded local law enforcement and public-safety resources. Has authored and helped pass San Diego ordinances targeting ghost guns and sponsored policies to ensure city-contracted gun dealers follow state and federal laws.

News

AINews Summary

Last updatedJul 5, 2026

Marni von Wilpert advanced from California’s 48th Congressional District top-two primary and will face Republican Jim Desmond in the November election. The result means Democrats secured one of the two general-election spots in the open seat once held by Darrell Issa. Recent coverage had focused on von Wilpert as one of the leading Democratic contenders in a crowded race with heavy outside spending and major stakes for control of the House.

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Articles

TNThe New York Times1 month ago