Your Vote 2026: The 48th Congressional District
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) - The primary election for the newly redrawn 48th Congressional District is a race to watch.
Proposition 50 redrew the district lines, transforming what was once a Republican stronghold into a district that now favors Democrats. The competitive primary features a well-funded Republican and a wide field of Democratic candidates vying to secure one of the top two spots to advance to the November general election.
The district now includes large sections of Western Riverside County and San Diego County, with Palm Springs and Indian Wells representing the Coachella Valley's portion.
San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond is the one Republican candidate in the race who has raised substantial funds. Desmond has also received the endorsement of President Donald Trump.
"It's an honor to have the president's endorsement and you know, I'm going to use and take it for everything, all the best we can, we can get out of that and hopefully win, but the most important endorsement to me is the voters," Desmond said.
On the Democratic side, a wide-open field includes four candidates who have raised significant money.
Branden Glavin of OpenSecrets.org, explained why open seat races attract numerous candidates. "These open seat races always generate a lot of interest, because you know it's a real opportunity, sometimes these seats don't come up very often, especially in the house and so when an open seat shows up, you know people are going to jump in," Glavin said.
Brandon Riker, a businessman from Palm Springs, reported raising $1.9 million by the end of the first quarter, with nearly $1 million originating from a loan he provided to his own campaign.
"This isn't a home court versus a non-home court advantage; this is about who's building a campaign to represent this district in Washington, and I feel like we're building that based on a conversation talking about the economy," Riker said.
Other Democratic candidates with significant fundraising include Ammar Campa-Najjar, who raised $1.1 million and Marni von Wilpert, who raised over $1 million.
Abel Chavez trails with less than $300,000.
Independent Political Analyst, Chad Mayes stressed the importance of campaign financing in elevating a candidate's name identification and ability to communicate with voters.
“You have to be able to elevate your name ID and today the way to do that is to raise as much money as you possibly can and be able to talk directly to voters and so, yes, money, money matters in politics. getting known," Mayes said.
Wilpert, a San Diego City Council Member, has the support of former Sen. Barbara Boxer.
Wilpert emphasized her engagement with voters across the district. "I'm very proud to have spent so much time getting to know voters up and down this district, including in Palm Springs, ever since Prop 50 passed. The very first press conference I had was alongside Sen. Boxer outside the LGBTQ center in Palm Springs," Wilpert said.
Campa-Najjar, a Navy Reserve officer, highlights his background in service.
"I have that unique background of economic background, having worked at the Department of Labor for President Barack Obama as a younger man and now as a naval officer in the reserve, so that national security background, plus the economic message, I think gives us a message that can meet this moment," Campa-Najjar said.
Chavez, a Nuview School Board member from Western Riverside County, is pursuing a grassroots campaign. Chavez noted his approach to campaign funding. "I have had less money from the beginning, and I know that as soon as you become the Democratic primary candidate, then as soon as that happens, money comes in," Chavez said.
Glavin agreed that the race is likely to become very expensive after the primary, with parties and super PACs pouring money into the general election.
Palm Springs plays a key role in the district, included to benefit Democrats.
The city is a Democratic stronghold, with more than 19,000 registered Democrats compared to fewer than 4,500 Republicans. In contrast, Indian Wells heavily favors Republicans, but it is a much smaller city,
