When Californians approved Democrats’ congressional redistricting plan last year, voters in Palm Springs and Indian Wells moved into what's expected to be one of just a few competitive districts in the state.
The new 48th Congressional District, which includes portions of both Riverside and San Diego counties, has been rated by The Cook Political Report as one of the two most competitive districts in the state and among the 42 most competitive in the country. What happens with those districts is expected to prove decisive in whether Democrats retake the House, where the Republicans now hold a five-vote majority.
There is no incumbent in the race. Instead, both candidates currently hold other offices in the San Diego area. Republican Jim Desmond
is a Navy veteran and a retired Delta Airlines pilot. He is a San Diego County supervisor and previously served as the mayor of San Marcos. Marni von Wilpert, meanwhile, is a San Diego City Council member who previously served as a civil prosecutor for the City of San Diego.
Registered Democrats outnumbered registered Republicans in the district by nearly five percentage points as of Sept. 4, while both Cook Political Report and CalMatters characterize the district as leaning Democrat.
The Desert Sun asked both candidates the same questions about why they're running and what they would do if elected to Congress. Here's what they had to say.
Why are you running and what makes you the best choice?
Jim Desmond
I’m running because I’ve spent my life solving problems, not just talking about them. I served in the Navy, spent more than three decades as a commercial airline pilot, owned a small business, served as Mayor of San Marcos, and now serve as a County Supervisor. Those experiences taught me to listen, make tough decisions, and be accountable for the results. In Congress, I’ll bring that same approach to lowering costs, making housing more affordable, protecting Social Security and Medicare, securing the border, and making government work better for the people it serves.
Marni von Wilpert
I’ve spent my career fighting for people who don’t have a voice in Washington. I served as a labor attorney under President Obama, where I took on big corporations that violated workers' rights, and served as a civil prosecutor, cracking down on corporate price gouging and taking on the opioid industry for the devastation they’ve caused.
I know what real leadership looks like: delivering results and making government work for everyday people, not big corporations and Trump’s megadonors. I’m running for Congress to stand up to Trump and make Washington work for working families again — not just the wealthy few.
How would you evaluate the recent direction of the country? What will you prioritize if Republicans remain in charge? What will you prioritize if Democrats gain control?
Jim Desmond
People are right to feel uneasy about where our country and our state are headed. Congress is failing the families it works for. Everyday costs keep rising, health care is getting harder to afford, and too many career politicians care more about scoring points than solving problems. Restoring trust starts with rooting out corruption, and that means banning members of Congress from trading stocks. If Republicans hold the majority, I’ll push to lower costs and protect Social Security and Medicare. If Democrats take control, my priorities don’t change. Either way, I’ll work with both parties to get it done.
Marni von Wilpert
I grew up in North San Diego County, where I was raised to believe public service means protecting this country, strengthening our communities, and standing up for working families.
By that standard, Donald Trump has failed disastrously on the core promises he made to the American people. We’ve seen attacks on health care and food assistance families rely on, reckless wars and tariffs that raise prices on working people, and policies that reward billionaires while working people fall further behind.
In Congress, I will vote to end the war in Iran, pass the PRO Act, and restore access to healthcare.
The 48th Congressional District stretches across parts of two counties and many diverse communities. How would you approach advocating for the district and its interests in Congress?
Jim Desmond
Now more than ever, politicians need to put people before politics, and that starts with listening. As a County Supervisor, I already represent about half this (congressional) district, and I know Vista, Temecula, and Palm Springs are unique communities facing different issues. Their specific priorities should drive my legislation, funding requests, and work with federal agencies. That’s why I’ll come home every weekend to meet with residents, groups, and employers face to face. Government works best when it’s close enough to hear the people it serves. I’ll keep offices in both counties, stay accessible, and carry what I hear at home straight to Washington.
Marni von Wilpert
Voters across the 48th District tell me about the impact of rising healthcare costs. I’ll fight to ensure everyone can afford to age with dignity and get quality health care closer to home. For so many seniors in both counties, Medicare, Medi-Cal and affordable prescription drugs are daily challenges and worries.
And in our rural and desert communities finding a doctor or specialist can mean long drives, time away from work and more money for gas. I’ll work with local healthcare districts to prevent hospital closures, address staffing shortages, and protect Medicare and Medi-Cal from this Congress’ cruel and chaotic cuts.
Is there anything else you would want voters to know about you?
Jim Desmond
I was an aircraft electrical engineer in the Navy and went on to serve as a County Supervisor. My entire career has been focused on fixing what’s broken. Right now, Congress is broken, and Washington needs problem solvers, not more politicians. Too many members chase headlines while working families get left behind. I’d bring that same mindset to Washington: diagnose the problem, ignore the noise, and fix it, no matter which party has the answer. Southern California is home, and I want every family here to have a chance to live the American Dream.
Marni von Wilpert
No one should have to choose between their health and their paycheck or worry about losing the Social Security they've earned after a lifetime of work. I'll fight to protect and expand the Affordable Care Act, restore ACA tax credits that Trump ripped away, and include a public option that gives families more affordable choices. My opponent, Jim Desmond supported Trump’s HR1 and cast the lone vote against a resolution fighting back on behalf of more than 840,000 San Diego County residents who rely on Medi-Cal for their health care. I’ll always fight for you.
Paul Albani-Burgio covers growth, development and business in the Coachella Valley. Email him at paul.albani-burgio@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California race could decide control of Congress. Meet the candidates
