Candidates and outside groups have spent more than $13 million on the race for California's 48th Congressional District, the seat that will represent Encinitas in Washington. Democrat Marni von Wilpert and Republican Jim Desmond face off on the Nov. 3 ballot.

The open seat became a battleground after redistricting under Proposition 50 merged conservative communities such as Temecula and Fallbrook with left-leaning areas including Oceanside and Palm Springs, as first reported by KPBS and CalMatters. Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, who held the seat for more than two decades, dropped his reelection bid. The seat is open. Democrats now hold a three-percentage-point registration edge in the district: 37% Democratic, 33% Republican and 22% no party preference, according to CalMatters' voter guide.

Von Wilpert, a San Diego city councilmember, has raised $4.5 million. Desmond, a San Diego County supervisor and former mayor of San Marcos, has raised $3 million, according to KPBS. Outside groups have poured in more than $6 million, nearly all of it backing von Wilpert. That includes more than $4 million from Democrats' House Majority PAC and $2 million from the Democratic Majority for Israel. President Donald Trump's No Going Back PAC has contributed more than $330,000 to support Desmond.

CalMatters' voter guide separately describes Desmond as having "a significant cash advantage over von Wilpert," a characterization that may reflect overall spending or cash on hand rather than total fundraising.

Paul Mitchell, a Democratic political strategist who drew the new Democratic-leaning district maps, told CalMatters that money will likely be decisive between two equally matched candidates.

"The 48th is a real matchup between two fairly equally positioned candidates and the challenge is going to be that Desmond is going to have to win against this massive headwind of a pending blue wave," Mitchell said.

Where they stand

Von Wilpert has run as a moderate, pro-Israel Democrat, pointing to her record of flipping a historically red San Diego City Council seat. She has campaigned with former Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff. At a rally in Escondido, Schiff told CalMatters that the district's high cost of living makes voters receptive to von Wilpert's opposition to tariffs and the war in Iran. In her official candidate statement, von Wilpert pledged to expand first-time homebuyer aid and restore healthcare funding. On housing, her campaign says she would orient new housing near transit and employment centers.

Desmond has campaigned as a fiscal conservative focused on lowering taxes, reducing energy costs and cutting regulation. He received endorsements from Trump and Issa but has worked to distance himself from the president. His campaign says he would let families choose their own energy sources. He opposes tax increases.

Both candidates responded after Trump suggested at an Oct. 5 rally in Nebraska that Iran could "take out" San Diego. Von Wilpert called the remarks "appalling and terrifying" in a statement reported by CBS 8 after the rally. Desmond wrote on social media that he "vehemently" disagreed with the president, adding, "No American city is expendable, and no American family should ever be treated as collateral damage."

CalMatters reported that Desmond's campaign spokesperson Sam Oh did not make Desmond available for an interview after repeated requests.

UC San Diego political science professor Thad Kousser told CalMatters it would take "something extraordinary" for Desmond to overcome the district's Democratic lean and the national political environment.

How to vote

Select vote centers open Saturday, Oct. 24. All vote centers open Saturday, Oct. 31. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, all vote centers and ballot drop boxes are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3. Voters can find locations and more information at sdvote.com or by calling 858-565-5800.