Democrat Congresswoman’s Boyfriend Loses Third Failed House Bid By Embarrassing Margin

Democratic California Rep. Sara Jacobs’ boyfriend lost his third consecutive House bid by a wide margin Tuesday despite being endorsed by a host of sitting lawmakers.

Perennial candidate and former Obama administration official Ammar Campa-Najjar failed to crack 10% of the vote in California’s newly redrawn 48th District and came in a distant third place behind Republican Jim Desmond and Democrat Marni von Wilpert, the Associated Press reported with 58% of the vote counted. Von Wilpert, who will move on to the general election due to California’s top two primary, received more than double Campa-Najjar’s vote share.

Von Wilpert currently serves as a city councilwoman from San Diego, which is not in the district. The seat was drawn to be more Democratic by the gerrymander backed by Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom and approved by voters in November 2025. The district was open due to the retirement of Republican Rep. Darrell Issa.

The loss marks the third time Campa-Najjar has mounted an unsuccessful run for Congress in Southern California — but the first time he failed to advance past the primary. He ran in 2018 and 2020, advancing to the general election both times but losing to Republicans Duncan Hunter and  Issa, respectively. He also lost a 2022 bid for mayor in Chula Vista, California.

His girlfriend, Jacobs, is one of the wealthiest people in Congress and spent more than $1 million supporting his campaign, the New York Times reported. Her grandfather is Irwin M. Jacobs, the co-founder of technology giant Qualcomm.