FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

San Diego, CA — Steve Cohen, the California Republican Party’s endorsed candidate in California’s 50th Congressional District, has advanced to the November general election against longtime Democratic incumbent Scott Peters — earning the highest challenger vote total in recent memory.

Cohen captured 69,951 votes to Peters’ 80,000 in California’s top-two primary, finishing at a historic 42% — a remarkable result for a first-time candidate who has never before run for office.

The California Republican Party unanimously endorsed Cohen as its candidate for the United States House of Representatives in California’s 50th Congressional District, underscoring strong party support for his campaign to bring fresh leadership and accountability to Washington on behalf of San Diego families.

“For the last 20 years, I’ve held politicians accountable as a broadcast journalist and News Director at KUSI-TV,” said Cohen. “Now, San Diego deserves a representative who answers to the people of this district—not Washington insiders, lobbyists, or a career politician worth over $100 million.

“I am deeply honored by this remarkable show of support and ready to fight for real solutions on affordability, housing, healthcare, and fiscal responsibility.”

Cohen covered California politics from Los Angeles starting in 1981 and spent over two decades leading KUSI-TV’s newsroom, earning major awards for journalistic excellence, including recognition from the San Diego County Republican Party for Excellence in Journalism and the San Diego Federalist Society’s First Amendment Award.

Cohen announced his candidacy in March 2026, challenging longtime incumbent Scott Peters. His “San Diego Affordability Agenda” focuses on key issues affecting working families and seniors:

• Making Housing Affordable: Cutting federal red tape, incentivizing new construction, and addressing regulatory barriers driving up costs.
• Healthcare That Works: Lowering prescription drug prices, protecting pre-existing condition coverage, and holding insurers accountable.
• Protecting Seniors: Defending Social Security and Medicare while advocating for dignity in retirement.
• Fiscal Accountability: Demanding transparency, opposing wasteful spending, and ensuring tax dollars benefit San Diego families.
• Border Security and Immigration: Supporting effective enforcement paired with orderly, lawful reforms.

California’s 50th Congressional District includes key communities such as La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Point Loma, Coronado, downtown San Diego, Poway, and portions of San Marcos and Escondido.

“The truth is, San Diego deserves a fighter, not a fortune. This endorsement is a powerful step forward, and together we will deliver the change our families need.”