Photos: From Ranches to Small Mountain Towns, How Prop. 50 Would Change San Diego’s 48th Congressional District

If California’s voters approve Proposition 50 this November, San Diego’s remaining Republican leaning congressional district will be remapped, diluting Republican votes by bringing them into coastal districts. The current 48th district, represented by Republican Darrell Issa, includes a large area of East San Diego County – from rural areas along the border and in the mountains to right leaning suburbs like Alpine and Santee. 

I spent weeks exploring the communities that could be redistricted by Proposition 50. The new boundaries would remove Poway, Ramona, Santee, Lakeside, and towns along the border and replace them with Vista, parts of Oceanside and Palm Springs. From ranches along the border, to East County’s agricultural fields and small mountain towns, daily life and its priorities in the current district take a much different shape than those communities along the coast.

More often than meeting people who were strongly in favor or against redistricting, I met people who either had not heard of Proposition 50 or didn’t understand it. Others simply felt  disillusioned by politics. They didn’t believe that politicians, no matter from what party, would have a positive impact on their lives, and they didn’t expect help from them. 

Caroline Ramsden, who was unloading hay to sell at the Jamul Trading Post, thought back to the 2007 wildfires that devastated the area and the lack of help she says she and her neighbors received.  

“You’ve really got to be self-sufficient out here,” she said. 

Further east on Highway 94 in Jacumba Hot Springs Lisa Hilyer said she supports Proposition 50 but only as a response to the redistricting efforts of red states. Hilier added, “It would be fine with me to get rid of Darrell Issa. That would be a bonus. Because he’s my rep out here and he doesn’t even respond to my letters.”

“We need someone who represents us,” said her wife, Stef Tonkin. She moved to a trailer park in town because she couldn’t afford to live in  El Cajon. At $365 a month for a space in the park, it’s some of the cheapest rent in San Diego County. 

What people facing poverty in the park need, they say, is help with basic needs. Dependable running water and a vehicle or more transit to get into town. “And I have no idea how Prop. 50 might affect that,” Hilyer said. 

Back in Jamul, Kim Dillon and her husband Pat are spending their retirement running a horse boarding business and petting zoo at Jamul Trails Ranch. Dillon admits she doesn’t keep up with politics, but she does hope whoever represents her in Congress could protect the open space she loves around her home. 

“Here you see the sunrise on the mountain. You hear all the birds. It’s just more peaceful and tranquil to me,” she says. “That’s why we live here.” 

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