Councilmember Marni von Wilpert leads San Diego Democratic primary race

SAN DIEGO — San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert has emerged as the frontrunner in the Democratic primary race to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa in California’s 48th Congressional District.

Von Wilpert secured 68.8% of the vote in preliminary tallies ahead of the party convention, according to recent results. She was followed by Ammar Campa-Najjar at 14.3% and Brandon Riker at 10.4%.

Despite her commanding lead, von Wilpert fell just short of the 70% threshold required to secure the party’s automatic official endorsement. The contest is currently ranked as one of the most closely watched congressional races in the United States.

The results signal a potential decline in influence for Campa-Najjar, who has lost three high-profile elections since 2018. After falling to former Rep. Duncan D. Hunter and later to Issa, Campa-Najjar shifted to local politics in 2022, where he lost the race for mayor of Chula Vista.

The California Democratic Party is expected to make a final decision on its official endorsement at the state convention, which begins Feb. 20.

The primary results in District 48 signal a decisive tactical pivot for the local Democratic establishment, marking a shift away from pragmatic centrism toward ideological clarity. Marni von Wilpert’s commanding performance is more than a personal milestone; it is a clear mandate from a party base seeking a new strategic direction following a cycle of underwhelming results.

The fall of Ammar Campa-Najjar serves as a case study in the risks of political repositioning. Once the party’s rising star—commanding 97% of the primary vote in 2018—Campa-Najjar has seen his support collapse due to a combination of candidate fatigue and a perceived lack of ideological core. His 2020 attempt to court conservative voters in a right-leaning district by tacking to the center-right alienated the progressive wing without securing a winning coalition. Von Wilpert’s emphasis on "unwavering values" was a calculated and effective critique of Campa-Najjar’s perceived volatility, resonating with a base that now prioritizes consistency over broad-tent appeal.

Ultimately, the contest in District 48 was a litmus test for the party’s broader electoral philosophy: the pursuit of the median voter versus the mobilization of the progressive base. With Von Wilpert approaching the 70% threshold, the data suggests that the "mobilization" wing has won the argument. As the party prepares to face Darrell Issa, the strategy has shifted from seeking a bridge to the center to consolidating the progressive flank, betting that a clear, principled platform will provide the momentum necessary to unseat a formidable Republican incumbent.

This local race carries significant weight for our community. Vietnamese-American voters in California’s 48th District should pay close attention to the candidates’ platforms, as the outcome will determine who represents our interests in the U.S. Congress.