Democrat Marni von Wilpert leads in 48th Congressional District race

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KESQ) - Democrat Marni von Wilpert held an early lead over Republican Jim Desmond tonight in the race for the 48th U.S. House District.   

Von Wilpert had 85,248 votes, or 59.4%, to Desmond's 58,385 votes, or 40.6%.  

The winner will replace retiring Rep. Darrell Issa  

The 48th District, spanning portions of San Diego and Riverside counties, was previously represented by Issa, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

It has been identified as a key swing district after its lines were redrawn following the passage of Proposition 50.   

Desmond, a San Diego County supervisor, U.S. Navy veteran, former Delta Air Lines pilot and former mayor of San Marcos, is prioritizing border security and addressing affordability issues, according to his campaign website.

Von Wilpert, a former civil prosecutor with the San Diego City Attorney's Office, says on her campaign site that she turned the city's ``most conservative council district blue -- and she's ready to do it again in Congress.''