¶ Overview
- Desmond was endorsed by Donald Trump and Mike Johnson, the masterminds behind the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Desmond touted his support from Trump and claimed he was going to “bring common sense back to California.”
- Desmond defended the “Big Beautiful Bill” on the day it passed and criticized his previous Democratic opponent for not supporting it. The bill threatened health coverage for at least 17 million Americans, including nearly 12 million people on Medicaid. More than 32,000 Californians in the old 48th congressional district were at risk of losing their health coverage as a result of passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
- Then while serving on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Desmond opposed the formation of a county fiscal planning subcommittee in response to federal budget cuts in the “Big Beautiful Bill” claiming it was “political fear-mongering.” It was estimated the county could lose $300 million in annual funding for programs like Medi-Cal and SNAP.
¶ Desmond Supported A Bill That Took Health Coverage From Southern Californians
¶ On The Day The Big Beautiful Bill Passed, Desmond Criticized His Democratic Opponent For Voting Against It
7/3/25: Desmond Criticized His Democratic Opponent For Voting Against The “Big Beautiful Bill” Which He Praised For Allegedly Bringing Tax Relief To Middle And Working-Class Families. According to a post on Jim Desmond’s Twitter, "Families in Southern California are struggling just to stay afloat. The cost of everything—groceries, gas, electricity, insurance—has exploded. You’re working harder and getting less, while Washington keeps making things worse. My opponent had a chance to help, but instead he voted against *Eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security *Making the Child Tax Credit permanent, helping over 40 million families Cutting taxes on Made-in-America auto loans *Putting an estimated $10,000 a year back into the average family’s pocket He voted to keep taxes high. He voted to block relief for middle- and working-class families. He voted to make life even more expensive than it already is. This effort still passed—but not because of him. The people in our district deserve better. You deserve a representative who fights to bring down costs, not protect a broken system that’s pricing people out of California. You shouldn’t be penalized for working overtime, leaving a tip jar out, or trying to raise a family here. That’s why I’m running—to bring real relief to the people who need it most." [Twitter, @JimDesmondSD, 7/3/25]
7/3/25: The House Passed The Sweeping “Big Beautiful Bill,” Which Imposed Deep Cuts To Medicaid. According to Time, "House Republicans handed President Donald Trump his first legislative victory of his second term Thursday after overcoming resistance from a handful of members, passing a sweeping $3.4 trillion tax-and-spending package known as the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ that extends his 2017 tax cuts, provides a large funding boost for his immigration policies, and imposes deep cuts to Medicaid and other safety-net programs." [Time, 7/3/25]
- HEADLINE: "At Least 17 Million Americans Would Lose Insurance Under Trump Plan" [Washington Post, 7/1/25]
- The Congressional Budget Office Estimated That 11.8 Million People Would Become Uninsured As A Result Of The Medicaid Cuts In Republicans’ Reconciliation Bill. According to the Washington Post, "The bill, which narrowly passed the Senate on Tuesday and now heads back to the House, would effectively accomplish what Republicans have long failed to do: unwind many of the key components of the ACA, President Barack Obama’s signature domestic achievement, which dramatically increased the number of Americans with access to health insurance. To start, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the Senate version of the bill would result in 11.8 million more uninsured in 2034, mostly because of Medicaid cuts, compared with 10.9 million if the House version became law." [Washington Post, 7/1/25]
¶ Desmond Defended The May Version Of The Big Beautiful Bill
5/22/25: Desmond Criticized His Democratic Opponent For Opposing The Republican Reconciliation Package. According to a post on Jim Desmond’s Twitter, "My opponent just voted against against tax cuts for working families, and protecting Social Security. He voted to raise your taxes by 22%, slash $65 billion from border security, and strip $150 billion from our military—all while letting 1.4 million illegal immigrants stay on SNAP and Medicaid. This isn’t leadership—it’s lunacy. Levin is out of touch. I’m running to fix it. #CA49" [Twitter, @JimDesmondSD, 5/22/25]
¶ Desmond Voted Against forming A San Diego County Fiscal Planning Subcommittee In Response To Federal Budget Cuts In The “Big Beautiful Bill” Claiming It Was “Political Fear-Mongering”
September 2025: The San Diego County Board Of Supervisors Voted To Create An Ad Hoc Subcommittee Focused On Fiscal Planning In Response To Federal Funding Cuts. According to NBC San Diego, "The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 Tuesday in favor of creating a subcommittee aimed at shielding services from funding cuts. Sponsored by Terra Lawson-Remer and Monica Montgomery Steppe, the proposal establishes the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Sustainable Fiscal Planning, tasked with ‘developing strategic recommendations to maintain essential county services, protect vulnerable residents and preserve the county's financial health.’" [NBC San Diego, 9/30/25]
- The San Diego County Board Of Supervisors Said Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill Could Risk $300 Million In County Funds For Medi-Cal, SNAP, Housing, And Early Childcare. According to NBC San Diego, "The supervisors pointed to the passage of Congress' One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), which a county analysis estimated could create more than $300 million in annual fiscal risks, including to programs like Medi-Cal, SNAP, housing and early childhood care." [NBC San Diego, 9/30/25]
¶ In Response To Federal Funding Cuts To Programs Like Medicaid, Desmond Said People Who Really Needed Benefits Could Still Get Them And Creating A Subcommittee To Address Funding Cuts Was “Political Fear-Mongering”
Desmond Opposed The Creation Of The County Subcommittee, Calling It “Political Fear-Mongering” And Defended Federal Budget Cuts By Claiming People Who Really Needed Them Could Still Get Them. According to NBC San Diego, "Supervisor Paloma Aguirre joined Lawson-Remer and Montgomery Steppe to yes, while their colleagues Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond were opposed. Before voting, Desmond called the subcommittee ‘political fear-mongering’ and an excuse to raise taxes. He said people really in need of benefits can get them, and the only ones at risk ‘are able-bodied adults who aren't willing to work, volunteer or go to school for at least 20 hours a week.’" [NBC San Diego, 9/30/25]
¶ DESMOND WAS ENDORSED BY DONALD TRUMP AND MIKE JOHNSON, THE MASTERMINDS BEHIND THE “One BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL”
4/14/26: Desmond Touted His Endorsement From Donald Trump And Claimed They Were Going To Work To “Bring Common Sense Back To California.”
[Twitter, @JimDesmondSD, 4/14/26]
4/14/26: Speaker Mike Johnson, Alongside Other House Republican Leaders, Endorsed Desmond. According to a post from Mike Johnson on Twitter, "Joint House Republican leadership endorsement statement with @SteveScaliseGOP , @tomemmer , and @LisaForCongress : Jim Desmond is a Navy veteran and patriot who will help us continue to deliver safe streets, secure borders, lower costs, and peace through strength. As a former pilot, mayor, and San Diego County supervisor, Jim will bring his experience to Congress to solve problems and defend our military, veterans, and the principles that have made America the greatest nation on Earth. We are proud to ENDORSE Jim Desmond for California’s 48th District, and look forward to working with him to defend and grow our House Republican majority and CONTINUE our American comeback! 🇺🇸" [Twitter, @MikeJohnson, 4/14/26]
¶ an estimated 136,400 californians in the Old 48th congressional district relied on Medicaid or CHIP for health insurance
136,400 Californians In The Old 48th Congressional District Were Enrolled In Medicaid Or CHIP.
[Center for American Progress, 3/11/25]
¶ Jim Desmond Was A Multi-Millionaire
¶ Desmond Had An Estimated Net Worth Between $4.5 Million ANd $21 Million
2024: Jim Desmond’s Net Worth Was Between $4,515,007.00 And $21,000,000.00
|
Jim Desmond 2024 Estimated Net Worth |
||
| Lowest Range | Highest Range | |
| Assets | $4,865,009.00 | $21,750,000.00 |
| Liabilities | $350,002.00 | $750,000.00 |
| TOTAL | $4,515,007.00 | $21,000,000.00 |
[Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, Personal Financial Disclosure, Jim Desmond, Filed 2/3/25]