Von Wilpert Projected to Flip California House Seat

Democrat Marni von Wilpert is projected to defeat Republican Jim Desmond and flip California’s 48th Congressional District, which is being vacated by retiring Rep. Darrell Issa. With about 64% of ballots counted, she led by roughly 19 percentage points, but votes remained uncounted and the results had not been certified. The redrawn district spans parts of San Diego and Riverside counties and is more favorable to Democrats. Von Wilpert campaigned on lowering living costs, protecting health care, supporting workers’ rights, and government accountability, as well as public safety and wildfire prevention. A breast cancer diagnosis during the campaign sharpened her focus on access to medical care, and she pledged to represent constituents regardless of how they voted.