CA-48: Desmond (R), Von Wilpert (D) appear poised for a runoff for 48th Congressional District
California Democrats persuaded voters to let them redraw the state's congressional map so the party could potentially gain five seats in the U.S. House to counter GOP redistricting in Texas. Tuesday’s primary will be the first indication of whether that will pay off.
The state’s unusual primary system, in which the top two vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party, means Democrats have a chance of effectively missing out on a pickup in the San Diego suburbs, where Republican Rep. Darrell Issa's district was redrawn to give it a slight Democratic lean.
Issa retired, and a termed-out Republican San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond stepped in to run. So did an avalanche of nine Democrats — so many that some fear the Democratic vote will be split among them, leaving Desmond and the only other GOP candidate, Jim O’Neil, as the top vote-getters. Under that scenario, Democrats would be locked out of the November general election.
Early results showed Desmond holding a strong lead and poised for a runoff against Democrat candidate Marni Von Wilpert, a San Diego City Councilmember.
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/who-will-head-to-general-election-in-race-for-48th-congressional-district/4031378/