From Times of San Diego
DEL MAR, California — Del Mar native and Obama-era State Department official Sara Jacobs announced Thursday that she is running as a Democrat to unseat Republican Rep. Darrell Issa in the 2018 election.
Jacobs, a granddaughter of Qualcomm founder Irwin Jacobs, is the fourth Democrat to announce a candidacy for Congress in California’s 49th District,
“I never thought I would run for elected office,” Jacobs said in an email announcing her candidacy. “But this moment is too important to sit on the sidelines — we need new leaders to step up and serve.”
Jacobs took aim at both Issa, who narrowly won re-election in 2016, and President Trump.
“Instead of finding meaningful solutions, Donald Trump and Darrell Issa are enriching themselves at everyone else’s expense,” she said.
Born in Del Mar, Sara grew up in the district, which stretches from the UC San Diego campus into south Orange County.
She attended Del Mar public schools and graduated from Torrey Pines High School, going on to earn degrees from Columbia University. She has worked at both the United Nations and UNICEF, and was a foreign policy advisor to Hillary Clinton during the 2016 campaign.
Already announced as candidates are Orange County environmental lawyer Mike Levin, Navy veteran and business owner Paul Kerr and 2016 contender Doug Applegate, who nearly beat Issa.
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Times of San Diego and San Diego Jewish World share stories under auspices of the San Diego Online News Association (SDONA)
Ahmad Zahra, Vice Chair of the CDP Arab American Caucus, on Friday endorsed Colonel Doug Applegate (ret) for California’s 49th Congressional District. Zahra made headlines when becoming the California Democratic Party’s first openly gay executive committee member. In addition to serving on the Arab American Caucus, Zahra has worked as film maker, a college professor, and is currently running for the 5th district for Fullerton City Council.
“Doug is one of the good guys. He is a genuine, honest and a passionate public servant in the military and beyond. He has shown great support to the Arab and Muslim American communities, especially in these dire political times, so it is with great pleasure that I offer my endorsement and support. He will make his district and California proud,” said Ahmad Zahra, Southern Vice Chair of the Arab American Caucus, California Democratic party.
“Ahmad Zahra has been an incredible member of the community. He has done so much to advance both the Arab and LGBTQ communities. I am confident Zahra will make a great City Councilmember in Fullerton and hope more people like him run for positions at all levels of government,” said Applegate.
Doug Applegate will again challenge controversial incumbent Rep. Darrell Issa to represent the 49th District in the June 2018 primary, promising to overcome the narrowest (1,621) vote gap of 2016 election cycle.
Some notable endorsements include California State Senator Toni Atkins, CA State Senator Ricardo Lara, former Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Assemblymember Tom Daly, VoteVets, National Nurses United, CA State American Postal Workers Union, CA State Association of Letter Carriers, IBEW Locals 47 & 441, Ironworkers 433, Plasters Union Local 200, and Teamsters Local 952.