U.S. House, California 48th Congressional District · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in California's 48th Congressional District?
Jim Desmond has the strongest record in California's 48th Congressional District. Jim Desmond scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Marni von Wilpert at 53, as of October 9, 2026. Jim Desmond's highest marks are roots in the constituency and relevant experience. Marni von Wilpert's highest marks are relevant experience and results. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Republican
Strongest record
Jim Desmond
63 / 100
Public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 70
- Performance
- NR
Democratic
Marni von Wilpert
53 / 100
Public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- 75
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Jim Desmond
- On the record2025-08-04
Asked the U.S. Attorney's office in 2025 to investigate his fellow supervisors over a county lawyer's departure, while acknowledging in his letter that the claims were unproven.
Source: Times of San Diego, Aug. 4, 2025
- On the record2024-01
In January 2024 posted that taxpayer funds paid for tents, food and water at migrant camps; KPBS reported the claim was incorrect and that he later corrected it.
- On the record2020-05-17
Said in May 2020 that only six San Diego County COVID-19 deaths were due solely to the virus; Voice of San Diego later reported he had understated hospitalization rates.
Sources: Times of San Diego, May 18, 2020, Voice of San Diego, Aug. 20, 2020
- Credit2008-12
Received the Leadership North County Alumni Association Fran Aleshire Award for leadership and regional involvement as San Marcos mayor in December 2008.
Source: The Coast News, Dec. 11, 2008
Marni von Wilpert
- On the record2025-09-26
Lives outside the redrawn 48th District, per Voice of San Diego; her campaign said living outside it does not affect her knowledge of the district. House members need not live in their districts.
- Credit2025
Authored the Ira Sharp Firearm Dealer Accountability Act, which the San Diego City Council approved unanimously, per the city.
- Credit2025
Co-authored the Grocery Pricing Transparency Ordinance, which requires grocers offering digital coupons to make the discounts available to all customers.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Jim Desmond. Candidate financial disclosure filed July 30, 2026, and campaign reports on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: House Clerk candidate disclosure, Filing ID 10075861, FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Marni von Wilpert. Candidate financial disclosure filed May 14, 2026, and campaign reports on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: House Clerk candidate disclosure, Filing ID 10077225, FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Jim Desmond. No public record found.
Marni von Wilpert. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Jim Desmond. No public record found.
Marni von Wilpert. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Jim Desmond. Has held city and county office since 2004 with no formal censure, reprimand or conduct finding found. His 2020 COVID-19 statements drew criticism (see Record).
Source: Wikipedia, Jim Desmond
Marni von Wilpert. San Diego City Councilmember since December 2020 and a former deputy city attorney, with no formal censure or conduct finding found.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Marni von Wilpert, Wikipedia, Marni von Wilpert
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Jim Desmond. Served in the Navy from 1974 to 1979 and has held sworn city and county office since 2004. No misuse-of-office finding found.
Source: Wikipedia, Jim Desmond
Marni von Wilpert. Has held sworn city office as a councilmember since 2020 and served as a deputy city attorney. No misuse-of-office finding found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Marni von Wilpert
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Jim Desmond. San Diego County Supervisor for the 5th District since 2019, after 12 years as mayor of San Marcos and two on its council; retired Delta Air Lines pilot.
Sources: Wikipedia, Jim Desmond, 10News San Diego
Marni von Wilpert. San Diego City Councilmember for District 5 since 2020, reelected in 2024; earlier a deputy city attorney, NLRB attorney and House committee staffer.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Marni von Wilpert, Wikipedia, Marni von Wilpert
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Jim Desmond. Publishes priorities and posted plans on cost of living, homelessness, the border, energy, seniors and childcare.
Source: Campaign site
Marni von Wilpert. Publishes campaign priorities on costs, health care, corruption and housing in general terms.
Source: Campaign site
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Jim Desmond. Completed Ballotpedia's survey in 2025, publishes issue plans and a newsletter, and has hosted a podcast for constituents.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Jim Desmond, Campaign site, Voice of San Diego, Aug. 20, 2020
Marni von Wilpert. Publishes issue pages and holds press availabilities; has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey. No general election debate found.
Sources: Campaign site, Ballotpedia, Marni von Wilpert
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Jim Desmond. Mayor of San Marcos, part of the district, for 12 years and North County supervisor since 2019. FEC by-state totals show about 93 percent of itemized individual contributions from California.
Marni von Wilpert. Lives outside the 48th District: Voice of San Diego reported in September 2025 that she did not live in the proposed district, and her spokesperson responded that living outside it does not affect her knowledge of it. About 70 percent of itemized individual contributions are from California.
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Jim Desmond. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Marni von Wilpert. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Jim Desmond. No public record found.
Marni von Wilpert. Authored the Ira Sharp Firearm Dealer Accountability Act, approved unanimously by the City Council, and co-authored the Grocery Pricing Transparency Ordinance on digital coupons, per the city.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Jim Desmond. No public record found.
Marni von Wilpert. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Jim Desmond. No public record found.
Marni von Wilpert. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Jim Desmond. No public record found.
Marni von Wilpert. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Jim Desmond. No public record found.
Marni von Wilpert. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 9, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in California's 48th Congressional District?
Jim Desmond has the strongest record in California's 48th Congressional District. Jim Desmond scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Marni von Wilpert at 53, as of October 9, 2026. Jim Desmond's highest marks are roots in the constituency and relevant experience. Marni von Wilpert's highest marks are relevant experience and results. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in California's 48th Congressional District in 2026?
Jim Desmond (Republican), Marni von Wilpert (Democratic). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Jim Desmond a good candidate for Congress?
Jim Desmond scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 70 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Marni von Wilpert a good candidate for Congress?
Marni von Wilpert scores 53 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 50 of 100, performance 75 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every California race scored, the trailing candidate's path to victory, and the California 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.