2026 House race
California 48th District
Lean D Cook Political Report, as of October 16, 2026
Campaigns through 2026-09-30Outside money through 2026-10-16Source: FEC
10.3 to 1 outside money
helping Marni von Wilpert
The short version
- Marni von Wilpert has raised $4.5M to Jim Desmond's $3.0M (1.5x), through September 30, 2026.
- Outside groups have reported $5.6M in general election spending: $5.1M helping the Democrat and $499K helping the Republican.
- Largest outside spender: HMP, $4.3M opposing Jim Desmond.
Campaign money
Marni von Wilpert
- Raised
- $4.5M
- Spent
- $3.5M
- Cash on hand
- $973K
- From PACs
- $728K
- From individuals
- $3.5M
- Self funding
- $2K
- Outside money for (general)
- $5.1M
Campaign totals through September 30, 2026.
Jim Desmond
- Raised
- $3.0M
- Spent
- $1.6M
- Cash on hand
- $1.4M
- From PACs
- $287K
- From individuals
- $2.4M
- Self funding
- $0
- Outside money for (general)
- $499K
Campaign totals through September 30, 2026.
Outside spending
Not included above: $2.9M in outside spending that filers reported for the primary, a runoff, or no specific election, involving these two nominees.
Biggest outside spenders, general election
| Spender | Position | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| HMP | Oppose Jim Desmond | $4.3M |
| Health Care Saves Lives | Oppose Jim Desmond | $427K |
| No Going Back PAC Inc. | Oppose Marni von Wilpert | $196K |
| Worker Power PAC | Support Marni von Wilpert | $150K |
| No Going Back PAC Inc. | Support Jim Desmond | $134K |
| Health Care Saves Lives | Support Marni von Wilpert | $128K |
| Equality PAC | Support Marni von Wilpert | $99K |
| Civic Renewal Fund Inc. | Support Jim Desmond | $81K |
| MAGA Inc. | Oppose Marni von Wilpert | $67K |
| Equality PAC | Oppose Jim Desmond | $45K |
| AB PAC | Support Marni von Wilpert | $25K |
| Civic Renewal Fund Inc. | Oppose Marni von Wilpert | $16K |
| Democratic Messaging Project FEC | Support Marni von Wilpert | $10K |
| Make America Great Again Action Inc FEC | Support Jim Desmond | $5K |
| Voters of Tomorrow PAC FEC | Support Marni von Wilpert | $3K |
Where the outside money came from
For the biggest spenders, the money is followed upstream while a single donor supplied at least half of it. From FEC receipts.
- Worker Power PAC ← $1.0M from Green Advocacy Project (53% of its reported receipts) No donor disclosure
These totals come from the 24 and 48 hour notices outside groups must file before ads run. They are the disclosed floor. Spending by groups that do not file independent expenditure notices, such as issue ads paid for by 501(c)(4) groups, does not appear here.
Top PAC donors to each campaign
D Marni von Wilpert
Itemized PAC contributions processed by the FEC through June 30, 2026. 113 PACs in total.
R Jim Desmond
| PAC | Given | Checks |
|---|---|---|
| American Revival PAC | $10K | 2 |
| Conservative Opportunity Leadership & Enterprise PAC - Colepac | $10K | 2 |
| Eureka PAC | $10K | 3 |
| Guardian Leadership PAC | $5K | 1 |
| Buckeye Liberty PAC FEC | $5K | 1 |
| Koch, Inc PAC (Kochpac) | $5K | 1 |
| Be Victorious Over Democrats PAC | $5K | 1 |
| American Security PAC | $5K | 1 |
| Lasting Investments Strengthening America PAC | $5K | 1 |
| First in Freedom PAC | $5K | 1 |
Itemized PAC contributions processed by the FEC through June 30, 2026. 45 PACs in total.
Primary Sources
- FEC candidate page, Marni von Wilpert: fec.gov/data/candidate/H6CA48310
- FEC committee filings, Marni von Wilpert principal campaign committee: C00918391
- FEC candidate page, Jim Desmond: fec.gov/data/candidate/H6CA49128
- FEC committee filings, Jim Desmond principal campaign committee: C00895722
- FEC independent expenditures, 2026 cycle: fec.gov independent expenditures
- Race rating: Cook Political Report, October 16, 2026
- Nominees: natlawreview.com