Marni von Wilpert, the newly elected representative for California’s 48th District, arrived in Washington this week to join the newest class of lawmakers for long days of New Member Orientation.
Von Wilpert – who defeated Republican Jim Desmond on Nov. 3 – and other incoming members of Congress are taking part in a series of classes and seminars on how Congress operates ahead of their swearing-in on Jan. 3.
“I’m so excited to be here,” von Wilpert said. “We had incredible election results around the country, and I’m meeting so many new colleagues who have the energy to change our government, and that’s what we’re all here to do.”
My California colleagues and I are ready to get to work! https://t.co/TK7Xi2fbsy
— Marni von Wilpert for Congress (@marnivonwilpert) November 12, 2026
The ‘bluenami’ on Election Night saw Democrats flip at least 44 House seats, with several races still too close to call. Based on early estimates, there are 103 representatives-elect in the freshman class.
Democrats in California picked up the seat after the district was redrawn. It now reaches north into Palm Springs, stretching from more conservative areas in North County, through Temecula and Hemet in Riverside County.
“Everyone’s ready to work together. I’m meeting Democrats and Republicans in this new delegation, and everybody has great ideas to bring our costs down, end the war in Iran and I’m really excited about my new colleagues,” she said.
Von Wilpert, who arrived in the Capitol on Monday, said New Member Orientation has been held daily from around 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. with representative-elects learning house rules, obligations when setting up a new office and the legislative process.
Orientation also serves as a time for representatives to become acquainted, which von Wilpert said is “fun and fantastic.”
“I love whenever I meet someone with an accent. I say I used to work in Mississippi,” she said about who she’s been drawn to in the freshman class. “Our California delegation is also getting really close, and we’re, you know, because California is such a big state, so it’s really nice to meet the other Californians coming out here.”
Von Wilpert is one of the record number of women who will serve in the 120th Congress, which she said feels “pretty amazing.”
On Thursday morning, the Congressional freshmen participated in a long-standing tradition where newly elected members gather on the steps of the U.S. Capitol for a class photo.
The members-elect were bused to the Capitol for the photo, then continued with orientation. Von Wilpert, along with the rest of the new members, are juggling learning the ropes, hiring a new staff and still representing their home districts.
“I’m still working my full-time job as a San Diego City Council member,” she said. “So I’m on briefings in between our meetings here on local San Diego-specific issues, and I have a couple more votes to take.”
Von Wilpert’s council seat in District 5 will be up in a special election early next year. After she officially resigns, there will be a two-week candidate filing and nomination period, followed by a special election within 90 days of the vacancy announcement.
Von Wilpert will continue her work on the city council with the help of her chief of staff, Justin Garver, who is leading the District 5 office during the transition, city council president Joe LaCava said in a news release.
Until she is sworn in, von Wilpert and her team will be learning the ways of Washington and building up a staff for her San Diego and D.C. offices. Von Wilpert said her introduction to D.C. has “been overwhelming, but also exciting.”