Ammar Campa-Najjar, a Democrat who has run for Congress three times without winning, is making another bid — this time for California's newly redrawn 48th Congressional District, a seat that covers central and eastern San Diego County including portions of East County.

The contest took a significant turn last week when incumbent Rep. Darrell Issa announced he would retire, endorsing Republican Jim Desmond — the San Diego County Supervisor — to succeed him. In response, Campa-Najjar said the district shouldn't swap "one MAGA rubber stamp for another."

Campa-Najjar is the top fundraiser in the race so far and holds endorsements from several members of Congress, including Rep. Sara Jacobs. But California's Democratic Party has not lined up behind him. At the state party's February convention, roughly 18 percent of delegates in the district voted to endorse him — well below the 60 percent threshold needed for an official party endorsement. San Diego City Councilwoman Marni Von Wilpert received about 55 percent of the delegate vote in the district but also fell short of the threshold.

The 48th District was redrawn under Proposition 50, shifting it in a more competitive direction. The Cook Partisan Voter Index rates the district at R+7, though some analysts see it as a potential toss-up in the current political environment. The top-two primary is scheduled for June.

For East County residents, the race carries direct significance. The district encompasses communities including El Cajon, portions of Santee's neighboring areas, and stretches into southwestern Riverside County. Whether a Democrat or Republican wins, the race is expected to be one of the most closely watched in California this election cycle.