Marni von Wilpert is poised to become the first woman and first Democrat to represent Temecula in Congress, according to Patch.
The Associated Press called the 48th Congressional District race for von Wilpert on Wednesday, Nov. 4, one day after the election. As of the evening of Monday, Nov. 9, she held 114,358 districtwide votes compared to 78,439 for San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond. Vote counting is still underway, and final results have not been certified.
In Riverside County, where Temecula sits, von Wilpert collected 54,048 votes to Desmond's 37,611 as of Nov. 9. The 48th Congressional District also includes the city of Riverside and much of North County San Diego.
Von Wilpert, a San Diego City Council member, declared victory in a statement released on election night, Nov. 3.
"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.
Von Wilpert grew up in North San Diego County in a military family, according to her campaign website. Her father immigrated to the United States and served in the Army. She advanced to the November general election after finishing second in the June 2026 primary with 20.8% of the vote.
The seat opened after Rep. Darrell Issa announced his retirement. Patch reported that Temecula had always been represented in Congress by male Republicans, no matter how congressional lines were drawn through the decades.
County elections officials must submit general election returns to the Secretary of State by Dec. 4. The Secretary of State must certify and post the results by Dec. 11.
