Peters and Cohen to Face Off for 50th District
Incumbent Scott Peters and challenger Steve Cohen will compete for the seat on November 3.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Elections
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Seven-term incumbent Scott Peters will face Republican challenger Steve Cohen in the race for California's 50th Congressional District on November 3. The district, centered in San Diego, features a significant voter registration advantage for Democrats.
Why it matters
The election will determine who represents San Diego interests in Congress following district boundary changes approved by voters last November. Candidates remain focused on contrasting their past records and future policy priorities.
Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 50,000 in the district. Through June 2026, incumbent Scott Peters raised $1.8 million and spent nearly $1.4 million, while challenger Steve Cohen reported no fundraising activity.
The players
Scott Peters
He is a seven-term incumbent serving in California's 50th Congressional District who previously served on the San Diego City Council.
Steve Cohen
He is a Republican challenger and a retired journalist seeking election to Congress.
The details
Scott Peters, who served on the San Diego City Council from 2000 to 2008, emphasizes his track record of securing $650 million for a border sewage treatment facility and $86 million for a child care facility at Naval Base San Diego. Challenger Steve Cohen, a retired journalist, is running on a platform calling for political change, while Peters continues to work on bipartisan efforts to streamline clean energy project approvals.
Timeline
Scott Peters served on the San Diego City Council from 2000 to 2008.
Voters approved Proposition 50 in November 2025.
The campaign finance disclosure period ended in June 2026.
The election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Political Context
The race follows the adoption of Proposition 50, which mandated the redrawing of district boundaries. This structural change influences the electorate and campaign strategy as candidates vie for the newly defined seat.
The outcome will directly impact local infrastructure funding priorities and federal policy advocacy for San Diego residents. Voters will also be weighing the incumbent's potential 2028 mayoral aspirations against his current congressional term.
The takeaway
Voters in the 50th District are choosing between a long-term incumbent focused on federal project funding and a challenger seeking a platform for change. The results will shape local representation for the next two-year congressional term.
Further reading
For more on the upcoming vote, visit the Elections section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Diego Union-Tribune.
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