Key Takeaways
- • Steve Cohen, former news director of KUSI in San Diego for more than two decades, announced on Thursday, March 12, 2026 (reported March 13) that he is seeking a seat in California's 50th Congressional District as a Republican.
- • Cohen plans to challenge incumbent Democrat Scott Peters in the 2026 election; the primary is scheduled for June 2, 2026, with the top two finishers advancing to the November 3, 2026 general election.
- • Cohen's campaign centers on a "San Diego Affordability Agenda," with proposals on housing supply, healthcare costs, benefits for seniors and veterans, federal spending, and border security.
- • Cohen brings roughly five decades of broadcast journalism experience, including more than a decade covering California politics from Los Angeles beginning in the early 1980s.
Summary
Steve Cohen, a longtime San Diego newsroom leader, has announced a run for Congress in California's 50th Congressional District, which covers central and coastal portions of San Diego County. According to FOX 5/KUSI, Cohen notified the public on Thursday that he is entering the race as a Republican and plans to challenge incumbent Scott Peters in the 2026 election. Cohen spent more than two decades as news director of KUSI and has worked in broadcast journalism for roughly five decades. Before joining the station, he covered California politics from Los Angeles for more than a decade, beginning in the early 1980s, according to his campaign announcement.
In his statement, Cohen framed his candidacy around cost-of-living pressures facing local families. "For fifty years, I've made my living telling San Diegans the truth," he said. "I'm running for Congress because the truth is that our families are being crushed — by housing costs, by grocery bills, by healthcare premiums."
His campaign describes its platform as a "San Diego Affordability Agenda," with proposals addressing housing supply, healthcare costs, benefits for seniors and veterans, federal spending, and border security. Campaign materials also highlight his career of questioning politicians, with the campaign website noting that he has built his reputation on asking officials tough questions, per coverage by local outlets.
The race will proceed under California's top-two primary system, in which all candidates appear on the same ballot. The primary election is scheduled for June 2, 2026, and the two top vote-getters will advance to the general election on November 3, 2026.
In his statement, Cohen framed his candidacy around cost-of-living pressures facing local families. "For fifty years, I've made my living telling San Diegans the truth," he said. "I'm running for Congress because the truth is that our families are being crushed — by housing costs, by grocery bills, by healthcare premiums."
His campaign describes its platform as a "San Diego Affordability Agenda," with proposals addressing housing supply, healthcare costs, benefits for seniors and veterans, federal spending, and border security. Campaign materials also highlight his career of questioning politicians, with the campaign website noting that he has built his reputation on asking officials tough questions, per coverage by local outlets.
The race will proceed under California's top-two primary system, in which all candidates appear on the same ballot. The primary election is scheduled for June 2, 2026, and the two top vote-getters will advance to the general election on November 3, 2026.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.