Marni von Wilpert, the Democratic nominee in California's 48th Congressional District, is facing criticism for her choice of venue for an upcoming campaign fundraiser. The event is scheduled to be held at Gossip Grill, a San Diego nightclub that advertises itself as 'San Diego's best queer bar' and is known for hosting nights with titles such as 'F***** Me Friday.'
Gossip Grill also features a menu with sexually suggestive cocktail names like 'Tease-quila Sunrise' and 'Mount My Melons.' The venue's calendar includes events such as 'Girls, Gays & Theys Sunday,' regular drag performances, and a burlesque night advertised as 'Top Shelf Tease.'
Christian Martinez, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, criticized von Wilpert's choice, stating, 'Out of touch Marni von Wilpert found the perfect headquarters for her radical campaign.' He added, 'That dangerous agenda belongs in a nightclub, not Congress,' and accused her of 'putting sexual content in front of young children' during her previous work on the San Diego City Council.
Von Wilpert, who is openly bisexual and came out in 2023, has served on the San Diego City Council since 2020. She has been an advocate for the installation of Pride displays in all of the city's public libraries. These libraries have also hosted 'Drag Queen Storytime' events targeted at children as young as three years old.
The fundraiser is co-hosted by the political arm of Equality California, described as the country's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights group. Tickets for the event are priced at $50 for students and $100 for others.
Von Wilpert is in a close race against Republican Jim Desmond, a San Diego County supervisor, for California's 48th District seat. A poll released in late July indicated the candidates were in a statistical tie. The seat became open following the retirement of Republican Congressman Darrell Issa.
The Cook Political Report rates the 48th District as D+2, suggesting a slight Democratic lean. The race was moved from 'Toss-Up' to 'Lean Democrat' in March. This district was one of five redrawn following the passage of Proposition 50, a ballot measure backed by Governor Gavin Newsom that shifted redistricting power from a bipartisan commission to the state legislature, which is controlled by Democrats.
Proposition 50, also known as the 'Election Rigging Response Act,' was introduced by Newsom after the Texas GOP's redistricting efforts. The measure is intended to help Democrats potentially gain congressional seats in California. The current House of Representatives has a narrow Republican majority, with 218 Republicans, 212 Democrats, and four vacancies.
