SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — It was up to the voters to choose who will represent San Diego County in the U.S. House of Representatives for the next two years.
On Election Day, San Diegans cast their ballots for the next representative of each of the county’s five congressional districts — District 48, District 49, District 50, District 51, and District 52.
Each race is critical to determine the balance of power in Congress for the next few years, although one contest in particular, District 49, has been a notable target for Republicans.
The seat, which is currently held by Democratic Rep. Mike Levin, emerged as one of the more competitive congressional races in California, with millions being funneled into the race by both sides as they hope to grab the majority in the lower congressional chamber.
The polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday and results will be released in batches until a winner is called. Election officials say the results released immediately after the polls closed largely account for ballots cast prior to Monday, Nov. 4 through early voting opportunities.
Election results will continue to roll in over the coming days and weeks as the Registrar of Voters counts ballots cast on Election Day. The county then has until Dec. 5 to certify the results.
District 48
In District 48, which is comprised of central and eastern San Diego County, Democrat Stephen Houlahan challenged Republican incumbent Darrell Issa for his seat.
Unofficial results released by the Registrar of Voters just after polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday shows Issa (R) in the lead with 60% of the vote over Houlahan (D) with 39% of the vote.
Darrell Issa (left) and Stephen Houlahan (right). (Courtesy Photos)
District 49
Matt Gunderson, Republican and business owner, is going up against Democratic incumbent Mike Levin in District 49, which covers San Diego’s North County and southern Orange County.
Unofficial results released by the Registrar of Voters just after polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday shows Levin (D) in the lead with 56% of the vote over Gunderson (R) with 43% of the vote.
Mike Levin (left) and Matt Gunderson (right). (Courtesy photos)
District 50
Retired Navy technician Peter Bono, a Republican, and incumbent Scott Peters, a Democrat, are facing off for the District 50 seat, which includes Coronado, San Marcos, Escondido and coastal San Diego.
Unofficial results released by the Registrar of Voters just after polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday shows Peters (D) in the lead with 63% of the vote and Bono (R) with 36% of the vote so far.
Scott Peters (left) and Peter Bono (left). (Courtesy photos)
District 51
Sara Jacobs, a Democrat, is running for re-election to Congress in District 51 against the current Republican mayor of El Cajon, Bill Wells.
Unofficial results released by the Registrar of Voters just after polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday shows Jacobs (D) in the lead with 59% of the vote and Wells (R) with 40% of the vote so far.
Sara Jacobs (left) and Bill Wells (right). (Courtesy photos)
District 52
Juan Vargas, a Democrat, is seeking re-election to Congress in District 52, which covers San Diego’s South Bay, and is facing off against Republican business owner, Justin Lee.
Unofficial results released by the Registrar of Voters just after polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday shows Vargas (D) in the lead in this race with 64% of the vote followed by Lee (R) with 35% of the vote.
Juan Vargas (left) and Justin Lee (right). (Courtesy photos)
View a map of each congressional district and results below.
For more on each of these candidates and their backgrounds, visit FOX 5/KUSI’s “Meet the Candidates” guide covering congressional contests. And to see how other federal races are playing out, check out FOX 5/KUSI’s National Balance of Power hub.
FOX 5/KUSI is following the results of the Nov. 5 election. Check back for real-time updates.
Read: Read More