Today’s newsletter is presented by AddressSD.

Good morning, San Diego ☀️

Here’s what we have for you today:

Andrew Keatts

Andrew Keatts

General manager and editor

Top story

San Diego’s gerrymandered CA-48 could decide control of the House. Will Democrats blow it?

There is a real chance that the CA-48 Congressional race could determine control of Congress.

In some ways that’s unsurprising. Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom led the effort to gerrymander California’s Congressional map specifically to flip five seats to blue, and the new 48th — which sprawls from Palm Springs through Temecula and into inland North San Diego County — is the swingiest of the districts voters approved with Prop. 50.

But that’s also a lot of effort, and with a lot riding on it, considering the Democratic field that emerged to replace Rep. Darrell Issa has left it as anything but a slam dunk. Times of San Diego contributor Dan Friedell has an in-depth look at the pivotal race today, and it’s part of our partnership with NOTUS for its series diving into the biggest elections in the country this cycle.

With three days left in the primary, it’s still unclear which of the three leading Democrats will emerge, likely to face Republican Supervisor Jim Desmond, in the November general election.

• And as our Tessa Balc reported Friday, there’s been a late surge of spending by outside groups in the race, especially against Ammar Campa-Najjar, the three-time candidate who could still emerge as the Democratic nominee.

Altogether, groups have spent more than $3.4 million against Campa-Najjar alone. 

Of that, $2 million has come from Democratic Majority for Israel — a group that hasn’t spent more than $500,000 against any other candidate nationwide this year.

READ MORE →

Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.

Stories you should know about

🏠 Top Democratic candidates agree on housing urgency, but not the fix: Tom Steyer aims to fund projects through changes to the corporate tax structure. Xavier Becerra wants to push reluctant cities to follow laws already on the books.

🚲 County issues safety alert, calls for help from medical professionals as e-bike injuries surge: In 2024, San Diego County hospitals recorded more than 850 emergency visits related to e-bike accidents.

🏗️ The local planning group representing Midway threw its support behind a state bill that could help developers build Midway Rising. Developers of the housing and arena redevelopment project have already argued the project can go forward in spite of an adverse court ruling thanks to the state’s density bonus law — and state officials blessed that argument earlier this month.

📫 Opinion: California’s next governor discernible as Becerra, Hilton pull ahead.

What else we’re reading

🧮 How middle managers at City Hall became the chief antagonist in the city of San Diego’s contentious budget battle. (Voice of San Diego)

🍷 Addison by William Bradley, the Carmel Valley destination that is San Diego’s only 3-star Michelin restaurant, was just named one of North America’s 50 best restaurants. (Union-Tribune)

Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.

What to do this weekend

Need weekend plans? We’ve got you. ⭐ = free to attend

🤖 RoboBattles Workshop at the History Center (Today, 12 p.m.–4 p.m.) ⭐️
🏳️‍🌈 Santee Pride Walk & Festival (Today, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.) ⭐️
💃 Colombianita Fest 2.0 (Sunday, 1 p.m.–7 p.m.) ⭐️
🎼 Concert for Hope & Peace (Sunday, doors open at 7 p.m.)