California's 50th congressional district

Under the 2020 redistricting, California's 50th congressional district is located in Southern California, encompassing the coastal and central portions of the City of San Diego, and most of the South Bay region of San Diego County. It includes the San Diego neighborhoods of San Pasqual, Rancho Bernardo, La Jolla, Point Loma, University City, Torrey Pines, Mission Beach, North Park, Hillcrest, South Park, Golden Hill, Pacific Beach, Carmel Valley, Pacific Highlands Ranch, and Black Mountain Ranch; the cities of Coronado, San Marcos, and southern Escondido; and the census-designated places Lake San Marcos, Harmony Grove, Elfin Forest, Del Dios, Rancho Santa Fe, and Fairbanks Ranch.

San Diego County is split between this district, the 48th district, the 49th district, the 51st district, and 52nd district. The 50th and 48th are partitioned by Gopher Canyon Rd, Escondido Freeway, Mountain Meadow Rd, Hidden Meadows, Reidy Cyn, N Broadway, Cougar Pass Rd, Adagio Way, Calle Ricardo, Tatas Place, Rue Montreux, Jesmond Dene Rd, Ivy Dell Ln, N Centre City Parkway, Highway 15, Richland Rd, Vista Canal, Woodland Parkway, W El Norte Parkway, Bennett Ave, Elser Ln, Nordahl Rd, Calavo Dr, Deodar Rd, Highway 78, Barham Dr, 2315-2339 Meyers Ave, Hill Valley Dr, County Club Dr, Auto Park Way, Highway 56, N Centre City Parkway, W Valley Parkway, N Juniper St, Highway 78, N Hickory St, E Mission Ave, Martin Dr, E Lincoln Ave, N Ash St, E Grand Ave, Bear Valley Parkway, Old Guerjito Rd, San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park, San Pasqual Trails Openspace, San Dieguito River Park, Bandy Canyon Rd, Santa Maria Creek, Highland Valley Rd, West Ridge Trail, Palmer Dr/Summerfield Ln, Pomerado Rd, and Carmel Mountain Ranch Openspace.

The 50th and 49th are partitioned by Gopher Canyon Rd, Camino Cantera, Corre Camino, Tierra del Cielo, Elevado Rd, Vista Grande Dr, Warmlands Ave, Queens Way, Canciones del Cielo, Camino Loma Verde, Alessandro Trail, Friendly Dr, Edgehill Rd, Catalina Heights Way, Deeb Ct, Foothill Dr, Clarence Dr, Highway S14, Smilax Rd, Poinsetta Ave, W San Marcos Blvd, Diamond Trail Preserve, S Rancho Santa Rd, San Elijo Rd, Rancho Summitt Dr, Escondido Creek, El Camino del Norte, San Elijo Lagoon, Highland Dr, Avacado Pl, Jimmy Durante Blvd, San Dieguito Dr, 8th St, Nob Ave, Highway S21, and the San Diego Northern Railway.

The 50th and 51st are partitioned by Camino del Norte, Highway 15, Carmel Mountain Rd, Ted Williams Parkway, Del Mar Mesa Openspace, Los Penasquitos Creek, Inland Freeway, Governor Dr, Pavlov Ave, Stetson Ave, Millikin Ave, Regents Rd, Ducommun Ave, Bunch Ave, Branting St, Streseman St, Pennant Way, Highway 52, San Diego Freeway, Sea World Dr, Friars Rd, Kumeyaay Highway, and Highway 805.

The 50th and 52nd are partitioned by Iowa St, University Ave, Inland Freeway, Escondido Freeway, Martin Luther King Jr Freeway, John J Montgomery Freeway, and San Diego Bay.

• San Diego – 1,388,320
• Escondido – 151,038
• Rancho Bernardo – 133,481
• San Marcos – 94,833
• Coronado – 20,192

• Lake San Marcos – 5,328
• Rancho Santa Fe – 3,156
• Fairbanks Ranch – 3,002

{{Election box begin no change | title=1992 United States House of Representatives elections in California[http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1992election.pdf 1992 election results]}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Bob Filner

|votes = 77,293

|percentage = 56.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Tony Valencia

|votes = 39,531

|percentage = 28.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (US)

|candidate = Barbara Hutchinson

|votes = 15,489

|percentage = 11.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Peace and Freedom Party (US)

|candidate = Roger Bruce Batchelder

|votes = 4,250

|percentage = 3.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent

|candidate = Pickard (write-in)

|votes = 63

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 136,626

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box gain with party link without swing

|winner = Democratic Party (US)

|loser = Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=1994 United States House of Representatives elections in California[http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1994election.pdf 1994 election results]}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Bob Filner (Incumbent)

|votes = 59,214

|percentage = 56.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Mary Alice Acevedo

|votes = 36,955

|percentage = 35.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (US)

|candidate = Richardo Duenez

|votes = 3,326

|percentage = 3.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Peace and Freedom Party (US)

|candidate = Guillermo Ramirez

|votes = 3,002

|percentage = 2.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Green Party of the United States

|candidate = Kip Krueger

|votes = 1,954

|percentage = 1.8

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 118,340

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Democratic Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=1996 United States House of Representatives elections in California[http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1996election.pdf 1996 election results]}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Bob Filner (Incumbent)

|votes = 73,200

|percentage = 58.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Jim Baize

|votes = 38,351

|percentage = 32.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Reform Party (US)

|candidate = Dan Clark

|votes = 3,253

|percentage = 2.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Natural Law Party (US)

|candidate = Earl Shepard

|votes = 2,138

|percentage = 1.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (US)

|candidate = Philip Zoebisch

|votes = 1,398

|percentage = 1.1

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 118,340

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Democratic Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=1998 United States House of Representatives elections in California[http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1998election.pdf 1998 election results]}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Bob Filner (Incumbent)

|votes = 77,354

|percentage = 99.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent

|candidate = Jon Parungoa (write-in)

|votes = 596

|percentage = 0.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Petra E. Barajas (write-in)

|votes = 41

|percentage = 0.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 77,991

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Democratic Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title= 2000 United States House of Representatives elections in California[http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2000election.pdf 2000 election results]}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Bob Filner (Incumbent)

|votes = 95,191

|percentage = 68.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Bob Divine

|votes = 38,526

|percentage = 27.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (US)

|candidate = David A. Willoughby

|votes = 3,472

|percentage = 2.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Natural Law Party (US)

|candidate = LeAnn S. Kendall

|votes = 2,283

|percentage = 1.6

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 139,472

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Democratic Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2002 United States House of Representatives elections in California[https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2002-general/congress.pdf 2002 election results]}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Duke Cunningham (Incumbent)

|votes = 111,095

|percentage = 64.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Del G. Stewart

|votes = 55,855

|percentage = 32.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (US)

|candidate = Richard M. Fontanesi

|votes = 5,751

|percentage = 3.3

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 172,701

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2004 United States House of Representatives elections in California[https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2004-general/us-reps-all-formatted.pdf 2004 election results]}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Duke Cunningham (Incumbent)

|votes = 169,025

|percentage = 58.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Francine Busby

|votes = 105,590

|percentage = 36.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Green Party of the United States

|candidate = Gary M. Waayers

|votes = 6,504

|percentage = 2.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = American Independent Party

|candidate = Diane Templin

|votes = 4,723

|percentage = 1.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (US)

|candidate = Brandon C. Osborne

|votes = 3,486

|percentage = 1.2

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 289,328

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{main|2006 California 50th congressional district special election}}

Representative Cunningham resigned on November 28, 2005, as a result of a bribery scandal. An open special election was held on April 11, 2006. The top vote getter was Democrat Francine Busby, who won 44% of the vote. The second-place finisher was Republican Brian Bilbray, who won 15% of the vote. Paul King was the top Libertarian party vote getter, with 0.6% of the vote. Since no candidate received a simple majority, the top vote-getters in each party competed in a runoff or special general election on June 6, 2006 (the same day as the statewide California primary). Bilbray was sworn in on June 13, based on unofficial counts, two weeks before the election was certified. As a consequence of this action, a court challenge to the election results filed by voters was denied on jurisdictional grounds.{{cite news | title = Judge throws out 50th District election lawsuit | url = http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/08/30/news/top_stories/7_05_458_29_06.txt | date = August 29, 2006 | publisher = North County Times | access-date = October 3, 2006}} This decision was appealed unsuccessfully.

{{Election box begin no change | title=2006 California's 50th congressional district special election[https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/special-elections/2006-cd50/oc_cd50_general.pdf 2006 special election results]}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Brian Bilbray

|votes = 78,341

|percentage = 49.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Francine Busby

|votes = 71,146

|percentage = 45.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent

|candidate = William Griffith

|votes = 6,027

|percentage = 3.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (US)

|candidate = Paul King

|votes = 2,519

|percentage = 1.6

}}

{{Election box invalid no change

|votes = 882

|percentage = 0.5

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 158,915

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2006 United States House of Representatives elections in California[https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2006-general/congress.pdf 2006 election results]}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Brian Bilbray (Incumbent)

|votes = 118,018

|percentage = 53.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Francine Busby

|votes = 96,612

|percentage = 43.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (US)

|candidate = Paul King

|votes = 4,119

|percentage = 1.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Peace and Freedom Party (US)

|candidate = Miriam E. Clark

|votes = 3,353

|percentage = 1.5

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 222,102

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2008 United States House of Representatives elections in California[https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2008-general/23_34_us_reps.pdf 2008 election results]}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Brian Bilbray (Incumbent)

|votes = 157,502

|percentage = 50.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Nick Leibham

|votes = 141,635

|percentage = 45.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (US)

|candidate = Wayne Dunlap

|votes = 14,365

|percentage = 4.6

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 313,502

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2010 United States House of Representatives elections in California[https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2010-general/58-united-states-representative.pdf 2010 election results]}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Brian Bilbray (Incumbent)

|votes = 142,236

|percentage = 56.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Francine Busby

|votes = 97,813

|percentage = 39.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (US)

|candidate = Lars B. Grossmith

|votes = 5,546

|percentage = 2.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Peace and Freedom Party (US)

|candidate = Miriam E. Clark

|votes = 5,470

|percentage = 2.1

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 251,065

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2012 United States House of Representatives elections in California[https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2012-general/12-us-reps.pdf 2012 election results]}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Duncan D. Hunter (Incumbent)

|votes = 174,838

|percentage = 67.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = David B. Secor

|votes = 83,455

|percentage = 32.4

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 258,293

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2014 United States House of Representatives elections in California[https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2014-general/pdf/43-congress.pdf 2014 election results]}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Duncan D. Hunter (Incumbent)

|votes = 111,997

|percentage = 71.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = James H. Kimber

|votes = 45,302

|percentage = 28.8

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 157,299

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

|winner = Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2016 United States House of Representatives elections in California[https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2016-general/sov/26-us-reps-formatted.pdf 2016 election results]}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Duncan D. Hunter (Incumbent)

|votes = 179,937

|percentage = 63.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Patrick Malloy

|votes = 103,646

|percentage = 36.5

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 283,583

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

|winner = Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2018 United States House of Representatives elections in California[https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2018-general/sov/48-congress.pdf 2018 election results]}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Duncan D. Hunter (Incumbent)

|votes = 134,362

|percentage = 51.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Ammar Campa-Najjar

|votes = 125,448

|percentage = 48.3

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 259,808

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

|winner = Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2020 United States House of Representatives elections in California[https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2020-general/sov/24-us-reps.pdf 2020 election results]}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Darrell Issa

|votes = 195,510

|percentage = 54.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Ammar Campa-Najjar

|votes = 166,859

|percentage = 46.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 362,369

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2022 United States House of Representatives elections in California[https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2022-general/sov/48-congress.pdf 2022 election results]}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Scott Peters (Incumbent)

|votes = 168,816

|percentage = 62.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Corey Gustafson

|votes = 99,819

|percentage = 37.2

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 268,635

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2024 United States House of Representatives elections in California[https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2024-general/sov/25-us-rep-congress.pdf 2024 election results]}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Scott Peters (Incumbent)

|votes = 231,836

|percentage = 64.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Peter Bono

|votes = 128,859

|percentage = 35.7

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 360,695

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

In the 1980s, {{ushr|California|44}} was one of four encompassing San Diego. The district had been held for eight years by Democrat Jim Bates and was considered the most Democratic district in the San Diego area. However, Bates became bogged down in a scandal involving charges of sexual harassment.

Randy "Duke" Cunningham won the Republican nomination and hammered Bates about the scandal. Cunningham won by a point. The San Diego area was represented entirely by Republicans for only the second time since the city was split into three districts after the 1960 United States census. After his victory, Cunningham changed his official residence from his Del Mar home to a condominium in the Mission Valley neighborhood in San Diego, so that he was perceived as residing in the district that he represented in Congress.{{cite news |last1=Horstman |first1=Barry M. |title=Cunningham and Lowery in a Dogfight Over 'Safe' District |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-12-24-me-835-story.html |access-date=9 September 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=24 December 1991 |quote=Though congressional candidates are not legally required to reside in their districts, most do because of political considerations. (Cunningham now lives in a Mission Valley condominium in his current district.)}}

In the 1980s, {{ushr|California|41}} was another of four encompassing San Diego. The northern San Diego County district had been held for 12 years by Republican Bill Lowery and was considered the most Republican district in the San Diego area. Most of the district became the {{ushr|California|51}} after state redistricting following the 1990 United States census.

In 1992, Cunningham campaigned against Lowery in Lowery's district in the Republican primary. The new 51st district was more dominated by ethnic whites and was more conservative than Cunningham's more urban, former 41st district located farther south. Lowery was tainted by the House check kiting scandal and lost the primary to Cunningham. The latter, a Navy career officer, had run on a campaign theme of "A Congressman We Can Be Proud Of." After winning, Cunningham changed his official residence back to his Del Mar home in the old 41st/new 51st district.

From 2003 to 2013, the 50th district consisted of the northern coastal region of San Diego County and included the suburbs of San Marcos, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Escondido.

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On November 29, 2005, Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report declared on his show that the 50th congressional district was "dead" to him after its insufficient support for his "friend" Duke Cunningham. Colbert placed the district on the show's ever-changing "Dead to Me" board, saying that he now considered the number of congressional districts in the United States to be 434. (The number became 433 when he retired the {{ushr|Texas|22|22nd district of Texas}} for its insufficient support for Tom DeLay.) On March 1, 2006, he "downgraded" the 50th district's status from "dead to me" to "never existed to me".List of The Colbert Report episodes, episodes 122 and 226.

{{portal|United States|California}}

• List of United States congressional districts
• California's congressional districts
• United States congressional delegations from California

{{reflist|30em}}

• sdvote.com: [http://www.sdvote.com/content/rov/en/elections.html San Diego Voter Registrar]
• sos.ca.gov: [http://www.sos.ca.gov/administration/news-releases-and-advisories/2016-news-releases-and-advisories/secretary-state-padilla-announces-results-randomized-alphabet-drawing-june-7-presidential-primary-election-ballots/ Secretary of State Padilla Announces Results of Randomized Alphabet Drawing for June 7 Presidential Primary Election Ballots]
• GovTrack.us: [http://www.govtrack.us/congress/findyourreps.xpd?state=CA&district=50 California's 50th congressional district]

{{USCongDistStateCA}}

{{coord|33|-116.6|type:adm2nd_region:US-CA_dim:100km|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:California's 50th Congressional District}}

50

Category:Government of San Diego County, California

Category:Political districts in Riverside County, California

Category:East County (San Diego County)

Category:North County (San Diego County)

Category:Escondido, California

Category:Ramona, San Diego County, California

Category:San Marcos, California

Category:Santee, California

Category:Temecula, California

Category:Valley Center, California

Category:Constituencies established in 1993

Category:1993 establishments in California