With just one day remaining until California’s primary election, the choice facing voters in CA-48 is clear. Jim Desmond is trying to hide from the extreme MAGA agenda he would advance in Washington, as CA-48 proves central to regaining the House Majority:
- LA Times: “With Republicans hanging on to an extremely slim majority in Congress, a win in District 48 could be just what Democrats need to regain control over the U.S. House of Representatives.”
- San Diego Union Tribune: “…Democrats are in reach of holding every congressional seat in San Diego County. But it all depends on North County…”
- Cook Political Report: “Right now, it’s clear Democrats have a[n] edge in the district…”
Yet as voters take a closer look, Desmond is unwilling to defend his record in public, running away from reporters who ask.
As the Times of San Diego noted, “This media aversion is of a piece with Desmond’s overall approach: He has run one of the most low-key campaigns imaginable for such a high-stakes seat.”
And it’s no wonder why. Jim Desmond’s carefully crafted ‘moderate’ image collapsed the moment Donald Trump and the MAGA Republican caucus handed him their “complete and total endorsement.” Since then, he has repeatedly sided with Trump and Washington Republicans over the people of Southern California:
- When given the chance to protect Southern Californians from the impact of the GOP’s Big, Ugly Bill, Desmond voted against using county reserve funds to stop service cuts and voted against a plan to respond to federal cuts to Medi-Cal and CalFresh – dismissing the impact of his constituents having less food on their tables.
- Desmond refused to “[shy] away from his support for Trump” and endorsed “Trump’s more controversial efforts — including ending birthright citizenship.”
- As gas prices in California skyrocket to more than $6 per gallon, Jim Desmond dismissed the financial burden on working families, calling it “no pain, no gain,” and saying “President Trump is right.”
- Desmond voted against his own housing proposal to avoid acknowledging that Trump’s tariffs and economic agenda are crushing Southern California families.
- As the president escalates his costly war in Iran – now draining about $100 billion from American taxpayers – Desmond admitted “I support” it.
- Desmond then tried to wave away rising gas prices altogether, saying they’ll just “go away once…this Iran issue, you know, goes away,” yet acknowledged it’s “bloody murder when the president’s actions…[cause] the gas prices to go up.”
DCCC Spokesperson Anna Elsasser:
“Jim Desmond is running away from the press for the same reason he’s running away from his record: the more voters learn about him, the less they like what they see. With control of the House on the line, voters deserve a representative who will stand up for working people – not another rubber stamp for Trump and Washington Republicans’ extreme agenda of higher costs, fewer rights, and stolen health care.” |
