5 San Diego County Congressional Seats On The Ballot

SAN DIEGO, CA — San Diego County's five Congressional districts are up for grabs this November, with four Democrats and one Republican seeking to reclaim their seats.

The 48th District, which covers a large swath of East County and some portions of southern Riverside County, is represented by longtime Republican Darrell Issa.

Outside of a brief period when Issa did not seek re-election in 2018, he has represented the region amid shifting district lines for more than two decades.

Border security, Second Amendment protections and a pro-life platform remain among his top priorities.

Challenging Issa is Democrat Stephen Houlahan, who formerly served on a Santee City Council.
Houlahan says border security is also an issue, but not without also addressing immigration reform. He also supports reinstating protections provided by Roe v Wade and legislation that addresses climate change.

Houlahan previously challenged Issa for the 48th District seat in 2022. Issa soundly won that election, taking just over 60% of the vote.

In the 49th District, which covers North County and southern Orange County, Democratic incumbent Mike Levin faces Republican candidate Matt Gunderson.

Levin has represented the 49th District since 2019. Climate change and environmental issues remain a priority for Levin, who says that if elected to a fourth term, he would seek to prevent landslides from endangering railways through the LOSSAN corridor and ensure spent nuclear fuel will be fully removed the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

Matt Gunderson, a Ladera Ranch resident who owns and operates car dealerships in Mission Viejo, describes himself as an outsider to politics.

Gunderson says his priorities include inflation and the state's high costs of living, as well as border security in order to stem the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

The 50th District covering coastal areas of the city of San Diego and up north into San Marcos and Escondido, features a race between longtime Democrat Scott Peters and Republican challenger Peter Bono.

Peters has served in Congress since 2013 and previously was chair of the San Diego Unified Port District and a member of the San Diego City Council.

Addressing climate impacts, the housing crisis and wastewater pollution crossing from Mexico into San Diego are among his top priorities.

Bono, a retired Navy technician, says he would pursue assistance for small business owners and legislation to close the southern border.

In the 51st District, which includes central portions of San Diego and parts of East County including El Cajon, La Mesa and Spring Valley, Democratic incumbent Sara Jacobs faces Republican challenger Bill Wells, who has been El Cajon's mayor since 2013.

Jacobs remains among the youngest members of Congress and is seeking a third term. She says addressing the high costs of living in San Diego County is one of her major concerns and pursuing affordable access to housing and childcare is one of her priorities.

Wells says if elected, he would work to secure the border, shore up public safety concerns by addressing police staffing issues and would address homelessness by enforcing laws and treating addiction as opposed to housing.

The 52nd District in southern San Diego County will see Democratic incumbent Juan Vargas facing a challenge from Republican Justin Lee.

Vargas has been a congressman since 2013 and previously served in the state senate, state assembly and San Diego City Council. He says addressing cross-border wastewater pollution, immigration reform and the housing crisis are among his chief concerns.

Lee, a business owner and military veteran, says border security, public safety and rising taxes are among his priorities.

— City News Service