Hope springs eternal for Democrats in California’s 48th Congressional District — at least the three seeking to oust incumbent Rep. Darrell Issa.
Though the June 2026 primary is 392 days away, three challengers have already emerged in the heavily Republican district — Albert Mora (who filed Feb. 26), Curtis Morrison (April 1) and Whitney Shanahan (April 11).
Times of San Diego sent questionnaires to all three. Shanahan — third of six in the same district’s March 2024 primary — didn’t return hers despite multiple requests.
Here’s what I learned.
Mora: Carlsbad resident
Albert James Mora, 66, is a first-time candidate for elective office who retired from investment banking in 2012. Since then, he’s worked in investment education, consulting and recruiting.
“I’ve been treasurer of the Encinitas Historical Society since 2022,” says Mora, born and raised in the Chicago suburb of East Chicago, Indiana.
He moved his family from Chicagoland to Orange County in 1998 and then to Carlsbad in 2012, where he still lives.
“If my candidacy gains inertia, I’ll likely move to the 48th District,” he said. (Congress candidates need only live in the state the district is in.)
Mora holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Purdue University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
Single after two marriages, he says he has a loving relationship with his five children and three grandchildren.
His recreation?
“I love binge-studying and conversing about a broad range of topics,” he says. “I’m a lifetime fitness enthusiast. I love classic Hollywood movies and Chicago sports teams, though I’m too busy to watch much. I love music.”
Asked if anyone encouraged him to run, he said efforts started early.
“My parents raised me saying I would grow up to be president of the United States. Through my life, acquaintances, friends, teachers, and business associates have suggested that I enter politics,” he said via email.
“After the 2024 election, friends encouraged me to run. I spoke with my children about it, and they were highly supportive. Starting in early February, I began announcing that I was considering running at 48th District Democratic club meetings. I received warm support each time, so I registered with the FEC and opened my website.”
Morrison: Owns law firm
Curtis Lee Morrison, 56, is a fellow Hoosier — born and raised in southern Indiana.
He holds a political science B.A. from the University of Louisville and earned his law degree from Whittier Law School in Costa Mesa.
An immigration attorney, the Fallbrook resident is sole owner of Red Eagle Law, a firm with offices in Bonsall, Orange County, Texas and Washington, D.C.
“I’ve filed several hundred lawsuits in federal court, representing several thousandsof immigrants as plaintiffs challenging unlawful U.S. government immigration policies or unreasonable delays,” he says.
“Thousands of immigrants have been able to legally immigrate to the U.S. because of injunctive relief my team obtained from multiple federal judges in lawsuits where we challenged unlawful immigration policies that Trump put into effect during his first term.”
In 2012, Morrison challenged fellow Democrat Denise Harper Angel for her seat in the Kentucky State Senate, losing 82.8% to 17.2%.
“I learned lots of valuable lessons from that race,” he said. “Like don’t run against an incumbent with the last name Angel.”
He also was a field organizer on campaigns, including a mayoral race and CREDO super PAC in Iowa “as well as volunteering on multiple campaigns for candidates I believe in.”
Read: Unedited responses from candidate Albert Mora (PDF) Read: Unedited responses from candidate Curtis Morrison (PDF)Before becoming an immigration lawyer, he worked for two years with Oregon-based Our Children’s Trust, supporting litigation in a high-profile climate change lawsuit (Juliana v. U.S.).
“My focus was primarily factual research and informal discovery (showing when the U.S. government knew about the dangers of climate change), but also legal research on specific issues,” Morrison said.
He also helped with messaging, communications, press relations and social media — work featured in the Netflix documentary “Youth v Gov.”
His first career, as a Realtor, lasted 20 years, “specializing in helping first-timehomebuyers achieve home ownership. In the course of that time, I sold over 600 homes.”
In 2011, he was arrested in front of the White House protesting the Keystone XL pipeline — the fossil fuel project abandoned in 2021.
Morrison says he’s been happily married to his husband, Rodolfo, for 10 years this August.
Shanahan: Pro-choice activist
Whitney Shanahan, active in the fight for abortion rights through her group Pro Choice With Heart, says on her website that she was “disgusted and outraged by the rise of Donald Trump in 2015 and the actions of MAGA extremists to roll back the clock on reproductive healthcare and attack the fundamental freedoms of all Americans.”
On social media, Shanahan also says: “I’m a witch” and sells related merchandise on her witchlifeco.com website.
A post shared by Whitney Shanahan (@prochoicewithheart)
“After deconstructing from Christianity,” she says on her site, “I went on a journey for a new spiritual practice. I knew I wanted something based on nature and centering women.”
As a child, she lost her brother to gun violence, and in 2024 told The San Diego Union-Tribune: “Now, as a parent, gun violence is the No. 1 cause of death of children in the U.S. It absolutely shouldn’t be this way and doesn’t have to be this way. Passing legislation to prevent gun violence is personal to me, and I’ll fight like hell to stop this unnecessary loss of life.”
A post shared by Whitney Shanahan (@prochoicewithheart)
Mora and Morrison recognize that Issa, 71, serves a vast district, reaching into Riverside County, that is 41% Republican, 29% Democratic and 21% who decline to state a party preference.
Also that Issa is rich — one of the wealthiest in Congress from his car-alarm company and real-estate investments. His campaign has $1.9 million cash on hand, according to the Federal Election Commission.
These email interviews have been lightly edited.
TIMES OF SAN DIEGO: Why are you running for Congress? Main issues? Main opportunities?
ALBERT MORA: Given the Trump administration’s near-certain continuation of concentrating power in him and destructive decision-making, reducing House Republicans by one member and increasing House Democrats by one member creates the opportunity to save our Constitution and rule of law, with direct repercussions around the globe.
We have the opportunity to get in balance by combining solutions drawn from across the political spectrum. Examples: Strictly and humanely secure the border and give immigrants a path to legalization.
Support free markets and regulate smartly. Make the U.S. federal government efficient, nonpartisan and prestigious. Keep church and state independent and thereby synergizing. Protect the environment with a thriving smart energy industry.
Partner with U.S. AI leaders to retain American leadership and devise effective regulation. Keep tariffs to a minimum and employ them selectively for national security. Design social programs to incentivize weaning.
Map of California’s 48th Congressional District.Similarly, rebuild and redouble USAID’s work serving communities and making them self-sufficient. Support LGBTQ and have biological males compete with biological males. Motivate Europe to take ownership of (and derive honor from) its military security and join them in 100% support of Ukraine. Move in phases toward a single-payer healthcare system akin to the best peer countries. Remove Super PACs and regulate PACs carefully so they can help grassroots candidates.
Keep America’s military omnipresent, motivated and lean. Balance DEI with meritocracy. Resume unfettered trade with China while reducing American dependence on their strategic military products and materials.
Ensure the future of Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare. Keep the central bank independent. Allow elected officials to earn money from only their political salaries and passive income. Make Social Security and Medicaid permanently sustainable. Invest in education, do not cancel student loans, balance DEI with merit.
CURTIS MORRISON: Under Trump, the federal government has been weaponized against the most vulnerable, providing the best outcomes only for the rich, and leaving the rest of us to fend for ourselves.
I believe Congress should serve as a check and balance on the executive branch. That’s especially important when the president is a grifter. Yet that’s not happening with our current representation. The people of this district deserve better.
What needs of CA48 most need addressing? How would you help to fulfill these needs?
MORA: The 48th District’s climate, diversity, military constituency, Native American constituency, Spanish-speaking community, economic demographic and international border call for focus on key issues including water infrastructure, fire mitigation, border security, immigration reform, veterans services, investment in education, economic development, affordable and available housing and healthcare, and strengthened civic engagement.
I will get informed, make contacts, prioritize, communicate, partner, and bring resources from local to federal to bear on the district’s many opportunities.
I will know my constituents. I have long enjoyed the 48th District’s attractions including Borrego Springs’ respite from winter chills, Murrieta and Temecula’s horse culture, urban westward towns, thriving wineries along the California 78, Safari Park, Julian’s legendary apple pies, and numerous mountain hiking trails.
The past three months, I have enjoyed walking across the district, introducing myself, shaking hands and hearing constituents out. They are generally engaged and eager to share.
Many conversations follow similar themes. Democratic constituents range from feeling ignored and neglected to overt anger toward Darrell Issa. Republicans have been somewhat sharp when I tell them I’m a Democrat, but when I sit back and let them voice then take my turn, they have consistently listened respectfully. Some have expressed that I struck them as sensible and, yes, a few said they’d seriously consider voting for me!
I had a memorable conversation with a Republican voter who lives in Julian as she texted her husband about her increasing concern over the Trump administration’s unpredictability. When her husband texted pro-Trump answers, she wasn’t reassured.
At the same time, she shared that she was feeling intimidated by increasing peer pressure from Democratic friends and family. What a conundrum.
When I told her I respected her right to vote as she saw fit, her fearful expression gave way to a glimmer of hope, and she thanked me warmly. When a gay person shared a public humiliation dealt personally by Darrell Issa, we hugged.
I’ve also introduced myself to a dozen 48th District Democratic clubs. Club leaders and members’ openness to my unifying message have pleasantly surprised me. I will meet more constituents along with officials, religious communities, social groups, leaders, and businesses to hear their concerns and ideas, assure them of my commitment, and try to give them hope.
MORRISON: Immigrant families make up a significant part of our community, and right now these families are terrified. They’re terrified of Trump’s mass deportation plans. They’re terrified that their families could be arbitrarily torn apart by ICE raids, or by being detained and disappeared to an El Salvador prison without due process.
Some are terrified to pay taxes now [that] the IRS is sharing information with ICE. Recent green-card holders and U.S .citizens are terrified by Trump’s threat in January to make his forthcoming travel ban retroactive.
Green-card holders, H-1B workers and foreign students are scared to leave the U.S. because they fear they will not be allowed re-entry. Asylum seekers who fled authoritarian regimes now find themselves scared to be critical of Trump on social media.
Part of my job is helping immigrant families assess, understand and mitigate the risks related to Trump’s immigration policies, and it’s becoming nearly impossible.
Leadership through chaos and fear is what dictators do, and I can’t just stand by and let it happen. Unlike Issa who rubber-stamps this chaos, I’ll demand respect for our neighbors and a strict adherence to the rule of law.
A related issue is the impact of Trump’s chaos on the economy. With mass deportation, few people are left around to grow our food, and it won’t grow itself.
I’m also worried about how Trump’s border policies deter foreign tourists, and the impact that will have on the hospitality industry. Just in the Temecula Valley, there are 10,000 people with travel-related hospitality jobs.
Due to climate change and this district’s geography, another important issue here is wildfire prevention and mitigation. Our Fallbrook home has been in the path of two wildfires within the last six months. We watched through our windows, terrified, as they grew.
In both instances, if not for the fantastic full-throttled and coordinated response by firefighters (and the recently installed Fallbrook heli-hydrant), and wind gusts slowing up at the perfect time, our lives and the lives of our neighbors could have been very different than they are now.
Those deluding themselves into believing wildfire prevention and mitigation is a problem for local governments only haven’t paid attention to Lahaina or Pacific Palisades.
The federal government can be proactive in supporting firefighters, funding mitigation, and, I believe, more heli-hydrants in fire-prone areas, or a far greater price will be paid later.
ScreenshotHow do you plan to displace an entrenched GOP incumbent in a district with 41% Republican registration, compared with 29% Democrats and 21% independents?
MORA: Again, unify. Inspire Democrats and Republicans by presenting sensible, sustainable solutions on all fronts.
Remind voters of America’s unique role leading the spread of freedom and democracy since the American Revolution. Remind voters of mankind’s long, hard-won progression from the darkness of autocracy to the light of democracy and freedom.
Inspire voters to honor those who gave so much for the cause, and to keep the American Dream alive for our descendants. Inspire increased political participation, in particular by the significant Mexican-American community. Continue a full-court positive press in the face of 24/7 disunity.
MORRISON: Elections aren’t determined by party registrations, but by which candidate receives the most votes.
I plan to displace Darrell Issa by helping more than enough voters understand not only Issa’s failure to hold Trump or DOGE accountable, but also his complicit role in helping Trump to evade accountability. Remember, Issa was the sponsor of the No Rogue Rulings Act. That act’s goal is to strip the authority of federal judges to determine whether the policies and actions of Trump and DOGE are lawful.
The rule of law and our court systems should not only be independent when they serve your political interests; they should also be independent under all circumstances.
Related, I plan to help people understand the relationship between Issa’s enabling of Trump’s grift and the pain they’re seeing in their own lives. I’m talking about the pain they’re seeing in their wallets, the pain they’re seeing with their own healthcare, and the pain they’re seeing in their communities.
How will you finance your campaign? Do you expect DCCC or local Democratic Party help? How much self-financing will you do?
MORA: I will finance my campaign from campaign contributions. If my campaign gains momentum and I gain confidence they would support me, I will strategically reach out to the party. I will absolutely need their support.
My resources are limited. Issa’s are not.
While we are early in the process, I feel urgency toward gaining momentum and reaching out to them. At the same time, I am binge-learning the job-basics. My syllabus includes campaign rules, key Democratic and Republican representative and senator bios, Cabinet bios, structure of the entire federal government and military including intelligence organizations, map of the 48th District, lists of district organizations (churches, clubs, chambers of commerce, school boards, etc.), notable Democratic San Diego County leaders (commissioners, mayors, council members), etc.
Then there’s tracking daily news, saying hi to my kids once a week, and getting in some exercise. (Oops, I’m complaining.) In any case, when I reach out, I want to be viable and prepared so I’m going to plan and act carefully.
MORRISON: I’m going to fundraise. A lot. I’ve spent most of my life listening to and talking with people to help them make good decisions. This is what I did as a Realtor for 20 years. It’s what I do every day now as an immigration attorney.
In the context of this election, lots of people want to see Darrell Issa retired from Congress, and I plan to have thousands of conversations about how investing in our campaign will make that happen.
I’m hopeful and optimistic for their support, but also I respect that both of those organizations are in the best position to determine their own priorities.
I’m not going to self-finance. Unlike our congressman, I’m not rich. But also unlike our congressman, I have the backing of our community to help fund this campaign. Having said that, I understand this race will involve significant personal financial sacrifice. The amount of time and energy I put into this campaign will be time and energy I don’t put into my business.
How are you better prepared to challenge Mr. Issa than your two (so far) Democratic rivals?
MORA: I am focused on serving the people of the 48th District by listening, learning and giving hope. I trust the other Democratic candidates will do so as well, and I trust voters to make the best choice.
MORRISON: I know our community on a personal and deeper level than my opponents. Because of the work I’ve done, I’m confident in my ability to raise more money and reach out to dissatisfied folks on both sides of the aisle in a way that neither my Democratic primary opponents or Darrell Issa are able to do.
Tell about your main campaign staff (paid or unpaid) — manager, fundraiser, social media person, media coordinator.
MORA: To this point, I have one person supporting me, who is my event manager. She is an experienced event organizer, multi-functional and highly motivated. I am in awe and have deepest gratitude.
At this moment, there are no clearcut names of people I’d like to invite or who are offering. As my campaign picks up support and funding, I plan to reach out to local Democratic club and community leaders to identify potential team members including manager, treasurer, fundraiser, communications, media, field coordinator, etc.
I realize my ability to fundraise and build a campaign team are interrelated and will be a critical indicator of my viability, so this is possibly the most relevant of all your questions.
MORRISON: For now, I’ve hired Gabriel Alfaro with Ursa Local Strategies, as a campaign consultant, and Deane & Company in Sacramento to handle the campaign bookkeeping and FEC compliance.
I’ve got about a dozen behind-the-scenes unpaid volunteers, but the most valuable at this point are Amir Naderi, a friend and former employee of my law firm who is an IT expert, my nephew Austin, who is a sophomore at Wabash College, and of course my husband Rodolfo, who, fortunately for me, likes to drive!
How will you appeal to decline-to-state voters? Will a major independent vote be needed to overcome the GOP advantage?
MORA: I will approach voters across the spectrum similarly, as I describe above. Given the significant GOP advantage, the math dictates that, yes, a major independent vote will be needed to win.
Being a lifelong independent who is trying to pull both sides to the sensible sustainable center, I believe my unifying message can strongly appeal to decline-to-states, independents, libertarians, etc.
MORRISON: A lot of people in this district are already being harmed by GOP policies. My job will be to help voters to understand that Trump, and his biggest cheerleader, Issa, are responsible for the policies and actions that are causing this harm. Not Biden, not Hillary Clinton, and not Obama.
Will you seek support from disaffected Republicans?
MORA: I will seek support from all voters, so yes.
MORRISON: Of course, but my first focus will be persuading the thousands of registered Democrats who stayed home in 2024 why we need them to show up in 2026. But I truly believe that the issues facing our country go beyond partisan labels. Republicans and Democrats alike are seeing their futures slipping away, and I believe that showing how our congressman is actively harming the American Dream we all aspire to.
If elected, what would be your major priorities in Congress?
MORA: My first priority will be to support the Constitution, freedom and the rule of law. I will support every effort by the Democratic Party to make ineffective and if possible remove a president who is on a path of destruction and possible self-destruction.
Being a business professional, I think a priority will be to strengthen the Democratic Party’s economic bench by working with colleagues and supporting relevant committees including Financial Services, Ways and Means, and Budget.
Expanding on my business background, my investment banking and corporate treasury work involved deep-dive analyses of companies, leaders, boards, products, competitors, culture, technology, regulation, industry trends, economic policy, capital market conditions, trade, military conflict, culture, et al.
I know how the machinery connects. I know how the Federal Reserve operates and I understand why an independent Fed is sacrosanct. I understand how international trade can forge cooperation between countries with diverse views for decades, the best example being the U.S. and China.
Economically most relevant at this moment, I know how tariffs do not work. The most basic functions of economic policy are to distribute means of production optimally and distribute wealth fairly.
History has proven and common sense dictates that freer markets enable capitalto flow efficiently to the most viable projects, allow decisions to be made by the better informed and more skillful parties, enable products and services to be provided by parties with better relative resources and skills, and enable fairer wealth distribution as a result of labor force behavior such as switching jobs, emigrating / immigrating, improving their skills, switching careers, or pressing for better wages.
While no economic regime will ever be perfect, freer markets offer the best solution.
Tariffs are a direct, blunt impediment to free market decision-making and activity. Tariffs being changed on a whim at any given moment create immeasurable and to a significant degree unrecoverable damage.
I will bring all of my business depth and breadth to bear on the economic conversation in D.C.
l will strengthen the Democratic Party’s connection to the Spanish-speaking community. My father was born and raised in Mexico, immigrated to the U.S. at age 17, entered Inland Steel, married Mom, a fourth-generation American, and stayed in the U.S. the rest of his life. Dad was eloquent in Spanish and English, and Mom was even more eloquently bilingual.
I speak Spanish like a Mexican rather than like a Mexican-American. I connect as naturally with Spanish speakers as I do with David Letterman fans.
Walking the 48th District, I enjoyed surprising some Spanish speakers who for once had the experience of speaking with an American who communicated perfectly with them in their own language. These conversations are continuations of my lifetime enjoyment of this experience.
In support of my unifying message, I will prioritize influencing the Democratic Party to listen to sensible rightward views, such as maintaining a secure border, making all government departments lean and efficient, not overplaying DEI and LGBTQ, and making Europe more accountable for her own security.
There is much more.
I will influence the Right to support giving due legal process to every person every time, to support environmentalism for love of our unique, magnificent planet, love of our fellow man and descendants, and the opportunity to create millions of high-quality, dignified jobs.
Again, there is so much more.
I will advocate for the United States to return to leadership of the global cause of Democracy and freedom by reconnecting with every one of our allies — the greatest community of allies ever known, built through two world wars, the Cold War and belief in basic human decency.
I will advocate for the U.S. inviting Canada, Panama, Greenland and every other country to partner with us to the full extent of our mutual opportunity while supporting their sovereignty as fully as we support ours.
MORRISON: I believe that we need to not just talk about what we want to do, we need to be willing to do it. Holding Trump accountable, keeping him from wrecking all that works right in our government and our economy are top priorities of mine, but we also need to look forward. Building out an economy that works for everyone, creating an immigration system that is fair and just, and maintaining a justice system that respects the rule of law and upholds due process are top legislative goals of mine.
If Dems take control in early 2027, would you support the impeachment of Donald Trump?
MORA: I realize the implications of this question are complex, deep and to a large degree unknowable. I take a deep breath as I write. I believe the legal, patriotic and practical action is to impeach Donald Trump as soon as possible. So yes.
MORRISON: Yes, and for so many reasons. Trump has flagrantly ignored the Constitution, ignored court orders, including from the Supreme Court. He’s used on-again and off-again tariffs to manipulate markets and make his oligarch insider friends even richer.
And there’s the grift, which is so common and expected, it’s normalized. I think most people realize his cryptocurrency is just a trendy way for him to accept bribes, but no one seems to be investigating it. I recently noticed there’s now a widget on the White House website where viewers can share content from the website to Truth Social, a social media company owned by Trump.
If elected, would you support term limits for House members?
MORA: I would consider term limits and possibly an age limit. I need to think much more about this important question, so thanks for asking.
MORRISON: Yes. I think five terms is enough. When politicians hang onto office until it’s time for them to be in a nursing home, that robs the next generation of their voice, and that’s just wrong.
If elected, would you pledge to hold regular in-person town halls in the district?
MORA: I would hold them. That’s an essential part of the job. And I flatter myself to believe they’ll be enjoyable for all concerned.
MORRISON: Absolutely. I’m thinking of scheduling them now. There’s an appetite for town halls and connection within our community. People just want a representative who will listen to them. It’s not so hard. Also, since the 48th district is so big, I think a few different locations are essential.
Anything else readers should know about your candidacy?
MORA: I am a long-shot rookie candidate with limited resources and name recognition facing other Democratic candidates, and if I were to become the Democratic nominee I would face an entrenched Republican with effectively unlimited resources in a red district.
I am also the child of a steel mill crane operator who received a world class education and had a 25-year international institutional capital markets career. Anything is possible.
MORRISON: It’s not new for me to stand up to powerful Republicans. Mitch McConnell once had me investigated by the FBI for secretly recording him and his campaign talking trash about his Democratic challengers.
Part 1 of 2. Wednesday: What do political scientists think about Democratic chances in CA48?
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