Marni
von Wilpert
Democrat Marni von Wilpert, San Diego City Councilmember, running for California's open 48th Congressional District seat in 2026
- sources
- 27
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 43
Background
Marni von Wilpert is a Democrat running for California's 48th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election, seeking to succeed retiring Rep. Darrell Issa in an open-seat race. She has served as the San Diego City Councilmember for District 5 since first being elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2024, and currently chairs the council's Public Safety Committee. [Sources 17, 14, 16]
Before entering elected office, von Wilpert built a career in public-interest law and labor policy. She served in the Peace Corps in Botswana, completed a Skadden Fellowship and worked with the Mississippi Center for Justice, clerked on a federal appellate court, worked at the National Labor Relations Board, served as counsel to the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee, and was a researcher at the Economic Policy Institute. She later returned to San Diego as a Deputy City Attorney and civil prosecutor. [Sources 3, 2]
Von Wilpert holds a B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, and a J.D., magna cum laude, from Fordham University School of Law. She grew up in North San Diego County and lives in Scripps Ranch. [Sources 3, 2]
She advanced to the November 2026 general election after the June 2 all-party primary and is considered a frontrunner in the race, with recent polling showing her leading her opponent. [Sources 16, 21, 6]
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 48, California
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- San Diego City Councilmember, District 5
- Website
- marnivonwilpert.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11newsTimes of San Diego profiles von Wilpert's path from frustrated councilmember to congressional frontrunner
A Times of San Diego profile examined how von Wilpert evolved from a first-term San Diego city councilmember into a favored candidate in one of the country's most-watched congressional races.
How Marni von Wilpert went from a frustrated first-term councilmember to a favorite in one of the country's biggest Congressional races · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 10newsKQED reports von Wilpert campaign framing her as a check on Trump administration
KQED described von Wilpert's campaign strategy as positioning her as a check on the Trump administration, with emphasis on local effects of the Iran war including fuel costs, while Desmond sought to focus on more local issues.
Local Loyalties and Trump Opposition Collide in San ... · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9pollSurveyUSA poll shows von Wilpert leading Desmond 47%–38% among likely voters
A SurveyUSA poll conducted Oct. 1–7 for the San Diego Union-Tribune and ABC 10News put von Wilpert ahead by nine points among likely voters, widening from a three-point lead in the prior month's poll. Among independents, she led 47%–25% with 28% undecided. The credibility interval was about five percentage points.
Von Wilpert widens lead over Desmond in closely watched ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsVon Wilpert and Desmond participate in Axios candidate Q&A
Axios published a candidate Q&A featuring both von Wilpert and Jim Desmond, covering their positions on key issues in the CA-48 race.
San Diego House race: Desmond and von Wilpert Q&A · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2newsVon Wilpert reported running with Schiff and Harris backing
News outlets reported von Wilpert's campaign was bolstered by high-profile Democratic endorsements from Sen. Adam Schiff and former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Marni von Wilpert Runs for Congressional District 48 with Schiff and Harris Backing · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2endorsementPlanned Parenthood Action Fund endorses von Wilpert and launches $500,000 IE campaign
The Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest announced its endorsement of von Wilpert and a $500,000 independent-expenditure campaign supporting the race, framing the effort around reproductive rights. The spending was not authorized by von Wilpert's campaign.
Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1filingLA Times and KPBS voter guides list von Wilpert vs. Desmond for Nov. 3 election
Multiple voter guides confirmed von Wilpert and Desmond as the general-election candidates for California's redrawn 48th Congressional District, with the election set for November 3, 2026.
Your guide to the California Congressional District 48 race: Von Wilpert vs. Desmond · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1endorsementVon Wilpert backed by Sen. Adam Schiff and Kamala Harris, who campaigns in San Diego
NBC San Diego reported that von Wilpert had secured endorsements from Senator Adam Schiff and former Vice President Kamala Harris, with Harris appearing in San Diego that week to campaign for her.
Politically Speaking: The road to flipping the House runs ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29newsKPBS candidate guide identifies health care as von Wilpert's top priority
KPBS published a general-election candidate guide listing von Wilpert and Desmond as the two candidates for CA-48. It identified health care as a top priority for von Wilpert, noting she opposes cuts to ACA subsidies and would seek to restore and expand affordable care.
Meet the candidates for US House of Representatives · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29endorsementJ Street PAC opens fundraising page for Von Wilpert Victory Fund
J Street PAC launched a donation page for the Von Wilpert Victory Fund, signaling the group's support for her congressional campaign.
Donate to Von Wilpert Victory Fund via JStreetPAC · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 12pollEarly polling shows von Wilpert leading Desmond in CA-48
Polling aggregator data as of mid-September showed von Wilpert with a lead over Jim Desmond in the redrawn California 48th Congressional District race.
California 48th District (CA-48) 2026 Polls — Wilpert vs ... · Sep 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- I.A.F.F. Local 145 unionListed on campaign endorsement page; no date provided. marnivonwilpert.com
- San Diego Police Officers Association unionListed on campaign endorsement page; no date provided. marnivonwilpert.com
- San Diego Municipal Employees Association unionListed on campaign endorsement page; no date provided. marnivonwilpert.com
- California Teachers Association unionListed on campaign endorsement page; no date provided. marnivonwilpert.com
- JStreet PAC organizationListed on campaign endorsement page; no date provided. marnivonwilpert.com
- U.S. Rep. Juan Vargas officialListed on campaign endorsement page; no date provided. marnivonwilpert.com
- U.S. Rep. Scott Peters officialListed on campaign endorsement page; no date provided. marnivonwilpert.com
- Giffords PAC organizationListed on campaign endorsement page; no date provided in notes. marnivonwilpert.com
- U.S. Rep. Mike Levin officialListed on campaign endorsement page; no date provided. marnivonwilpert.com
- UFCW Local 135 unionListed on campaign endorsement page; no date provided. marnivonwilpert.com
- U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs officialListed on campaign endorsement page; no date provided. marnivonwilpert.com
- U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla officialListed on campaign endorsement page; no date provided. marnivonwilpert.com
- San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board newspaperEndorsement listing published October 2, 2026. sandiegouniontribune.com · Oct 2, 2026
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest PAC organizationOctober 2, 2026 announcement confirmed endorsement and launched campaign in the district. plannedparenthoodaction.org · Oct 2, 2026
- American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) unionAnnounced September 22, 2026 by AFGE. afge.org · Sep 22, 2026
- MoveOn organizationEndorsement page published September 21, 2026, updated October 2, 2026. front.moveon.org · Sep 21, 2026
- U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff officialAnnounced June 23, 2026 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Jun 23, 2026
- New Dems / New Democrat Coalition Action Fund organizationAnnounced June 5, 2026 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Jun 5, 2026
- Teamsters Joint Council 42 unionAnnounced March 31, 2026 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Mar 31, 2026
- California School Employees Association unionAnnounced March 25, 2026 per campaign announcement; also listed in CSEA voter guide. csea.com · Mar 25, 2026
- California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO unionAnnounced March 17, 2026 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Mar 17, 2026
- National Union of Healthcare Workers unionAnnounced March 13, 2026 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Mar 13, 2026
- New Politics organizationAnnounced March 11, 2026 per campaign news. newpolitics.org · Mar 11, 2026
- LGBTQ+ Victory Fund organizationAnnounced March 5, 2026. victoryfund.org · Mar 5, 2026
- DMFI PAC organizationEndorsement reported February 24, 2026; announcement attributed to the organization. sdjewishworld.com · Feb 24, 2026
- Brady PAC organizationAnnounced February 19, 2026 per campaign news. marnivonwilpert.com · Feb 19, 2026
- Equality California organizationAnnounced February 18, 2026. eqca.org · Feb 18, 2026
- San Diego County Building and Construction Trades Council unionAnnounced February 13, 2026 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Feb 13, 2026
- U.S. Rep. Mark Takano officialAnnounced February 11, 2026 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Feb 11, 2026
- Equality PAC organizationAnnounced February 9, 2026 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Feb 9, 2026
- California Assemblymember Corey Jackson officialAnnounced February 1, 2026 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Feb 1, 2026
- U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley officialAnnounced January 29, 2026 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Jan 29, 2026
- United Auto Workers Region 6 unionAnnounced January 13, 2026 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Jan 13, 2026
- U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson officialAnnounced January 12, 2026 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Jan 12, 2026
- SEIU California unionAnnounced December 16, 2025 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Dec 16, 2025
- California Assemblymember Darshana Patel officialAnnounced December 11, 2025 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Dec 11, 2025
- U.S. Rep. Gil Cisneros officialAnnounced December 8, 2025 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Dec 8, 2025
- Former U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer officialAnnounced November 13, 2025 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Nov 13, 2025
- EMILYs List organizationAnnounced November 6, 2025 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Nov 6, 2025
- IUPAT Painters and Allied Trades District Council 36 unionAnnounced October 29, 2025 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Oct 29, 2025
- San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention organizationAnnounced October 15, 2025 per campaign news. marnivonwilpert.com · Oct 15, 2025
- Former California State Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins officialAnnounced September 28, 2025 per campaign announcement. marnivonwilpert.com · Sep 28, 2025
- San Diego County Young Democrats organizationAnnounced September 18, 2025 per campaign news. marnivonwilpert.com · Sep 18, 2025
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $2.17M
- Spent
- $1.35M
- Cash on hand
- $825K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6CA48310(opens in a new tab)
Sources 27
- [1] How Marni von Wilpert went from a frustrated first-term councilmember to a favorite in one of the country's biggest Congressional races(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Local Loyalties and Trump Opposition Collide in San ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [3] Von Wilpert widens lead over Desmond in closely watched ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [4] NEW POLITICS ENDORSED CANDIDATE MARNI VON ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [5] Marni von Wilpert, CA-48 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [6] San Diego House race: Desmond and von Wilpert Q&A(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [7] Marni von Wilpert Runs for Congressional District 48 with Schiff and Harris Backing(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [8] Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [9] Politically Speaking: The road to flipping the House runs ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [10] The U-T Editorial Board’s endorsements(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [11] Your guide to the California Congressional District 48 race: Von Wilpert vs. Desmond(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [12] Donate to Von Wilpert Victory Fund via JStreetPAC(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [13] Meet the candidates for US House of Representatives(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [14] Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 5 California ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
- [15] Marni von Wilpert : MoveOn: People-Powered Progress(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [16] Voter Guide - California School Employees Association(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [17] California 48th District (CA-48) 2026 Polls — Wilpert vs ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 12, 2026
- [18] Endorsements - Marni von Wilpert for Congress(opens in a new tab) Aug 13, 2026
- [19] Issues — Marni von Wilpert for Congress(opens in a new tab) Aug 13, 2026
- [20] Our interview with Marni Von Wilpert, candidate for 48th ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 3, 2026
- [21] Can San Diego City Councilwoman Marni von Wilpert turn ...(opens in a new tab) May 15, 2026
- [22] Q&A: Meet Marni von Wilpert, candidate for California's 48th ...(opens in a new tab) May 7, 2026
- [23] LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Endorses Marni von Wilpert for ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 5, 2026
- [24] Pro-Israel Democrats endorse SD City Councilwoman ...(opens in a new tab) Feb 24, 2026
- [25] Equality California Endorses Out-LGBTQ+ Leader Marni von Wilpert ...(opens in a new tab) Feb 18, 2026
- [26] News(opens in a new tab) Jun 3, 2022
- [27] Council declares San Diego 'safe city' for reproductive ...(opens in a new tab) May 24, 2022