Election 2020: California's 50th Congressional District Race

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — The race for California's 50th Congressional District seat pits Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar against Republican Darrell Issa.

The 50th District encompasses most of East County, parts of inland North County and a portion of southwestern Riverside County.

The spotlight has been on the race as the district is plagued by scandal and the January resignation of its former representative, Republican Duncan D. Hunter. Hunter pleaded guilty to unlawfully spending campaign funds and is facing nearly a year in prison.

A Republican had held the seat since 1981. The seat was represented by Hunter's father, Duncan L. Hunter, from 1981-2009.

In the March 3 presidential primary election, Campa-Najjar captured 67,452 votes or 36.9 percent, compared to Issa who garnered 40,625 votes or 22.2 percent. Nine candidates competed for the seat. Republican Carl DeMaio took third place with 20.1 percent of the vote.

Campa-Najjar, an East County native, owns a consulting firm and is a course lecturer at San Diego State University. He also worked on Barack Obama's re-election campaign in 2012, at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and at the U.S. Department of Labor.

Issa spent nearly two decades representing the 49th District — which covers the northern coastal areas of the county as well as a small portion of southern Orange County — before announcing in 2018 he would not seek re-election. This time around he is seeking a seat in a region that has consistently voted Republican and re-elected Hunter even as he faced indictment.

Issa said he supports construction of the border wall and protecting the Second Amendment. He opposes California's Sanctuary State law.

Campa-Najjar said he supports border security, as well as initiatives to make it easier for immigrants to enter the country legally. He also supports a health care plan allowing patients to choose from providers in the private, public and nonprofit sectors. He said he wants to preserve portions of the Affordable Care Act, though he said "it has serious flaws."

Issa has questioned Campa-Najjar's political convictions, saying his opponent has attempted to rebrand himself as a moderate in order to appeal to Republican voters, while Campa-Najjar said he has spent more time on the ground with 50th District residents than Issa.

Stay tuned to Patch on Election Day for results.

Still need to cast your vote? Find the closest ballot drop box or polling place in San Diego County.

Want to double-check that your mail ballot has been received? Track it here.

Find more Patch coverage from the California 2020 election here.

Patch editor Kristina Houck and City News Service contributed to this report.