Temecula Helps Advance Trump-Backed Jim Desmond To November Runoff In 48th Congressional District

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Initial returns from the June 2 primary election show Temecula helped advance Trump-backed Republican Jim Desmond to the November midterm election in the 48th Congressional District.

The Associated Press called the race for Desmond. The news outlet has not yet called the candidate who will face him this fall, but Democrat Marni von Wilpert is ahead of the other challengers in the 48th.

The top two candidates from Tuesday's primary will go on to the Nov. 3 general election. See the updated 48th Congressional District updated results here.

"This win belongs to the families who are sick of being taxed out of their own neighborhoods, to the small business owners hanging on, to the seniors stretching a fixed income further every month," Desmond said Tuesday night. "They're done being ignored by politicians who tax everything and listen to no one. They voted for a secure border, lower taxes, and a chance to actually afford the life they've worked for. I hear them, and I'm not going to forget it."

The 48th Congressional District encompasses much of San Diego County and a large swath of Riverside County from Temecula to Palm Springs.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R) has long held the district, but he decided not to run for reelection this year and instead endorsed Desmond, who serves as a San Diego County Supervisor. Desmond also had President Donald Trump's backing.

Just one other Republican was on the ballot, Kevin Patrick O'Neil, a computer software engineer. It appears unlikely the two GOP candidates will split the ticket for a November runoff.