Contact: Chris Meagher
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Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and San Diego City Councilmember, Marni von Wilpert placed in the top two in the CA-48 primary, securing her place in the general election in bid to flip California's 48th District
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 3, 2026) — New Politics endorsed candidate Marni von Wilpert successfully advanced to the November general election in California's 48th Congressional District. Von Wilpert, a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, former Obama administration labor attorney, and sitting San Diego City Councilmember, enters the general with a proven record of public service and a track record of winning competitive races — making her well positioned to flip this seat blue.
California’s 48th Congressional District is one of the most competitive seats in California and across the country. The seat is vacant following Republican Rep. Darrell Issa’s announcement of his retirement. It is viewed as a critical pickup in order for Democrats to retake the House majority this November.
Emily Cherniack, Founder and Executive Director of New Politics, released the following statement:
“What stands out about Marni is that her commitment to service isn't something she discovered when she decided to run for Congress. It's the through line of her entire career — from her Peace Corps service to working on Capitol Hill to her leadership on the San Diego City Council. In Marni, voters in CA-48 are getting someone who has already proven, repeatedly, that she puts people before politics. This district is a top flip opportunity for Democrats and New Politics is ready to help Marni turn this seat blue in November.”
New Politics is an organization that revitalizes American democracy by recruiting, developing, and electing leaders across the ideological and political spectrum who have committed their lives to serving their communities and our country, either through military service, national service organizations like AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps, or by demonstrating strong service-based leadership in their community. New Politics’ support includes strategic advising and training in all aspects of a candidate’s campaign, such as fundraising, communications, organizing, hiring, and team building. New Politics has raised over $40 million to support over 475 candidates, successfully electing more than 200 of them to office, from Congress to School Board. Learn more at newpolitics.org.
