Von Wilpert Wins 48th District; San Diego Plans Special Vote

Democrat Marni von Wilpert's congressional win creates a vacancy in San Diego's City Council District 5, which the city must fill by special election.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single empty wooden chair on a pale floor, centered in deep red and cream, evoking a civic seat awaiting a vote. — Democrat Marni von Wilpert's congressional win opens San Diego City Council District 5, and the city must hold a special election to fill the seat. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Democrat Marni von Wilpert leads Republican Jim Desmond by 19 percentage points in the latest vote count in the 48th Congressional District. Her win opens City Council District 5, and San Diego must hold a special election to fill the seat.

Why it matters

The District 5 vacancy will be filled by voters rather than appointment, shaping local council representation in San Diego. The city faces a stand-alone election with no regularly scheduled county or statewide vote to consolidate with.

The latest count gives von Wilpert a 19-point lead over Desmond, and a stand-alone special election is estimated to cost San Diego $2.5 million. The exact election date will depend on when von Wilpert officially resigns from the council seat.

The players

Marni von Wilpert

Marni von Wilpert is a Democrat who won the 48th Congressional District race and will leave her San Diego City Council seat.

Jim Desmond

Jim Desmond is the Republican candidate who trails von Wilpert in the 48th Congressional District race.

The details

The City Charter requires a special election within 90 days of von Wilpert's official resignation, and candidates have two weeks after that resignation to file nomination papers with the City Clerk's Office. If no candidate wins a majority, the city must hold a runoff within 90 days of the first vote.

Dec. 11: State must certify the election results.
Jan. 3: New members of Congress are sworn in.
Within 90 days of von Wilpert's resignation: San Diego must hold the District 5 special election.

Season Trajectory

The District 5 vacancy follows the December 2023 Monica Montgomery Steppe resignation, which was consolidated with the March 5, 2024 primary election. This time no regularly scheduled county or statewide election exists to absorb the cost, so the stand-alone special election is estimated at $2.5 million.

District 5 residents will be represented by an elected successor rather than an appointee once the special election concludes. Candidates have two weeks after the resignation to file nomination papers, so interested residents should watch the City Clerk's Office for filing deadlines.

The takeaway

Vacancies created by congressional wins can carry a substantial local cost when no regularly scheduled election is available to consolidate with. Residents who want a say in District 5 should track the nomination window and the special election date.

What happens next

San Diego must hold the District 5 special election within 90 days of von Wilpert's official resignation, and the state must certify results by Dec. 11.