Temecula On Verge Of Historic Election Firsts

TEMECULA, CA — No matter how congressional lines were drawn through the decades, the city of Temecula was always represented in Congress, by male Republicans.

The latest results from the Nov. 3 election show a historic shift.

San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond (R) is trailing San Diego City Council Member Marni von Wilpert (D) by a wide margin in the race for the 48th Congressional District seat, which includes Temecula. Real-Time Election Results 2026: Congressional District 48

Despite ongoing vote counting, the Associated Press formally called the race for von Wilpert on Nov. 4.

“I’ve spent my life fighting for working families — from defending workers’ rights to taking on the powerful corporations ripping our families off — and I’m ready to take that fight to Congress,” von Wilpert said, declaring victory in a press release after early election night returns were released.

In addition to Temecula, the 48th Congressional District includes the city of Riverside and much of North County San Diego. See a district map here.

As of early Monday evening, von Wilpert was leading with 114,358 districtwide votes compared to 78,439 for Desmond. Of those ballots cast for von Wilpert, 54,048 came from Riverside County, compared to 37,611 for Desmond.

While a blue tsunami swept the nation on Nov. 3, Democrats helped ensure a win in Congressional District 48 — and statewide. California's congressional lines were redrawn as a result of a November 2025 Statewide Special Election for Proposition 50, which was passed overwhelmingly by Golden State voters in a rebuke of President Donald Trump.

Following that election, Congressional District 48 Rep. Darrell Issa (R) announced he would retire rather than seek reelection.

Desmond and von Wilpert emerged as winners in this year's primary election for the 48th, and faced a Nov. 3 runoff.

Prior to Issa, former Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R) represented Temecula before his fall from grace and ultimate resignation in 2020. Portions of Temecula were also represented by Congressman Ken Calvert (R) following a 2010 redistricting split.

In the city of Temecula's earliest years, former Congressman Ron Packard (R) represented the area.

In her post-election statement, von Wilpert promised to represent Temecula and beyond.

"Whether you voted for me or not, I will welcome you into my office and be a representative who works for every family in every part of this beautiful district and answers to the people—not the special interests and not the powerful few," she said.

Final election results are pending. By Dec. 4, county elections officials must submit to the Secretary of State their general election returns, and by Dec. 11 the Secretary of State must prepare, certify, and file a statement of the vote and post to the Secretary of State's website.