The editorial board operates independently from the U-T newsroom but holds itself to similar ethical standards. We base our editorials and endorsements on reporting, interviews and rigorous debate, and strive for accuracy, fairness and civility in our section. Disagree? Let us know.

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Bonsall, is heavily favored — and has heavily outraised his opponent — in a bid for a second term representing the 48th Congressional District, which covers much of East San Diego County from the border with Mexico north to Temecula and part of Murrieta in Riverside County. It would be his 11th term in Congress. He previously represented a mostly North San Diego County district in the House from 2001 to 2019. In the June primary election, he had more votes than his three challengers combined, with twice as many votes as his closest opponent, who advanced to the Nov. 8 ballot. But that candidate, Stephen Houlahan, a Democrat registered nurse and a former political independent with an intriguing record of taking on entrenched interests while on the Santee City Council, is worth voters’ consideration and trust.

On experience grounds, some might see this race as a mismatch. Issa is a smart, wealthy tech entrepreneur who has been an often-effective local House member for most of this century. Despite his partisan reputation, he’s worked well with Democratic colleagues on issues like H-1B visa abuse and the first federal open data law. The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board used to endorse him.

But now, instead of using his gravitas to offer himself as a wise elder counseling Republicans on how they too can be productive even in a deep blue state, Issa is one of many in the GOP who embraced the Donald Trump playbook of extreme divisiveness and the peddling of bogus claims. In the 2020 primary, he was condemned by the chair of the Republican Party of San Diego County, our board and others for a gay-baiting attack ad against GOP rival Carl DeMaio, then insinuated his general election opponent, Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar, would be sympathetic to Islamic terrorism if elected because of his Palestinian roots. That was terrible. But then Issa gave credence to attempts to deny that Joe Biden actually won the White House in 2020 — and used a tired campaign of whataboutism to downplay the seriousness of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. Now Issa rejects our requests for interviews, and says the Editorial Board’s criticism of him is solely partisan and has nothing to do with his actions. Given that the board has repeatedly endorsed impressive Republicans and independents for many major statewide offices in the past 10 years, that is not the case. Issa’s actions led to our distrust.

Houlahan, on the other hand, shows promise, although he isn’t as polished as he might be. In a Zoom interview last month, he was asked repeatedly on what he based his claim that Issa had engaged in corruption while in office. Houlahan cited Issa policy stands he strongly disagreed with. That’s not good enough. But Houlahan also offers thoughtful views on the importance of reproductive rights; the urgent need to both craft a far more humane immigration policy and to unclog and unshackle the San Diego-Tijuana border; and the ways that energy microgrids could be invaluable in how the state and nation respond to the climate emergency. He says his health care background would give him insight into programs helping troubled veterans.

Houlahan, who has also been a youth soccer and baseball coach, is early in his political career. But he has shown the unusual skill set he would bring to Congress and that he would be a better role model for Americans who should be proud of our leaders. Issa has a carousel full of baggage. The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board endorses Stephen Houlahan for the 48th Congressional District.

Democratic registered nurse and former Santee City Council member Stephen Houlahan is running against Republican Rep. Darrell Issa in the newly redrawn 48th Congressional District that represents much of east San Diego County.

Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, who is seeking his 11th term in Congress, is running against Democratic registered nurse and former Santee City Council member Stephen Houlahan in the 48th Congressional District that represents much of east San Diego County.

Between now and early October when voting gets underway, The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board is planning to publish dozens of candidate Q&As and nearly two dozen commentaries connected to a handful of San Diego city ballot measures and seven state propositions on the Nov. 8 election. Keep checking back as we fill in this voter guide.

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