Top San Diego gun violence prevention leader is poised to defeat one of the gun lobby’s strongest allies in Washington this cycle
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 19, 2026 — Today, Brady PAC, the political arm of the Brady Campaign, announced its endorsement of Marni von Wilpert for election to California’s 48th Congressional District. This endorsement comes as von Wilpert is the leading candidate to unseat incumbent Darrell Issa, a long-time gun industry ally who has consistently voted against the safety of Californians.
“Marni von Wilpert represents the courageous leadership America needs on gun violence prevention,” said Stephan Abrams, a San Diego native and national youth leader of Brady’s Team ENOUGH program. “I have worked with Marni time and again as she has delivered safety for the youth and families of our region and because of her efforts, homicides have decreased year after year in San Diego. While Darrell Issa has spent decades trying to weaken our gun laws, Marni has a proven record of always acting on behalf of California’s youth and communities. She is the champion our generation deserves in Congress.”
“I know how to beat the NRA gun lobby – because Brady and I already have. Together with Brady, we passed California’s first ban on untraceable ghost guns and together we’ll take that fight to Congress to confront the gun violence epidemic with bold action, not just thoughts and prayers. Americans deserve real safety and leaders willing to fight the gun lobby, not bow down to it,” said Marni von Wilpert.
As a two-term San Diego City Councilmember, von Wilpert has built a strong reputation for turning bold ideas into law. Her legislative accomplishments include authoring the Eliminate Non-Serialized Untraceable Firearm (ENUF) Ordinance, a policy that is now used as a model by cities across the country. Additionally, she has led the Ira Sharp Firearm Dealer Accountability Act, one of the first local ordinances to ensure that taxpayer funds are only used to purchase firearms and firearm accessories from responsible gun industry members.
“Marni von Wilpert is a tenacious leader who knows how to win in a competitive district,” said Kris Brown, President of Brady and Board Chair of Brady PAC. “When she reaches Washington, she won’t just vote the right way—she will lead. From universal background checks to holding the gun industry accountable, Marni will act with the urgency this crisis demands.”
“Darrell Issa has consistently prioritized the gun lobby over the safety of Californians. In November, voters will have a clear choice: a career politician stuck in the past, or a proven leader like Marni von Wilpert who is ready to build a safer future,” Brown continued.
Von Wilpert’s campaign has built significant momentum, having already secured endorsements from Senator Barbara Boxer, EMILY’s List, Equality PAC, and other local and national leaders. Her ability to flip a traditionally conservative City Council seat demonstrates the battlefield experience necessary to compete effectively in the 48th District.
Brady PAC’s endorsement of von Wilpert is an early part of its midterms campaign, The Safety We Deserve, a national effort to turn out voters and elect leaders to office who are committed to leading efforts on strengthening background checks, protecting domestic violence survivors, holding the gun industry accountable, enforcing existing gun laws, investing in community violence intervention, and more.
The organization will mobilize grassroots supporters and make strategic investments this cycle.
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Founded thanks to the leadership of Republicans Jim and Sarah Brady, Brady PAC elects gun violence prevention leaders up and down the ballot who will enact life-saving policies and hold the gun industry accountable. It upholds the ideals championed by its partner Brady, the nation’s oldest gun violence prevention organization.
