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Jerlilia Ryans

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Jerlilia Ryans
Candidate, U.S. House California District 48
Elections and appointments
Last election
March 5, 2024
Next election
June 2, 2026
Education
High school
Centennial High School
Bachelor's
University of California, San Diego, 1980
Personal
Profession
Attorney/Business Owner
Contact

Jerlilia Ryans (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 48th Congressional District. Ryans declared candidacy for the primary scheduled on June 2, 2026.[source]

Ryans completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Jerlilia Ryans graduated from Centennial High School. Ryans earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, San Diego in 1980. Ryans' career experience includes working as an attorney/business owner.[1]

Elections

2026

See also: California's 48th Congressional District election, 2026

General election

The primary will occur on June 2, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Nonpartisan primary

Nonpartisan primary election for U.S. House California District 48

The following candidates are running in the primary for U.S. House California District 48 on June 2, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2024

See also: California's 50th Congressional District election, 2024

California's 50th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 top-two primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 50

Incumbent Scott Peters defeated Peter Bono in the general election for U.S. House California District 50 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Scott Peters
Scott Peters (D)
 
64.3
 
231,836
Image of Peter Bono
Peter Bono (R) Candidate Connection
 
35.7
 
128,859

Total votes: 360,695
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 50

Incumbent Scott Peters and Peter Bono defeated Solomon David Moss and Timothy Bilash in the primary for U.S. House California District 50 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Scott Peters
Scott Peters (D)
 
57.0
 
97,601
Image of Peter Bono
Peter Bono (R) Candidate Connection
 
23.5
 
40,284
Image of Solomon David Moss
Solomon David Moss (R) Candidate Connection
 
11.8
 
20,252
Image of Timothy Bilash
Timothy Bilash (D)
 
7.7
 
13,106

Total votes: 171,243
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Ryans in this election.

2020

See also: California's 52nd Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 52

Incumbent Scott Peters defeated Jim DeBello in the general election for U.S. House California District 52 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Scott Peters
Scott Peters (D)
 
61.6
 
244,145
Image of Jim DeBello
Jim DeBello (R) Candidate Connection
 
38.4
 
152,350

Total votes: 396,495
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 52

Incumbent Scott Peters and Jim DeBello defeated Nancy Casady and Ryan Cunningham in the primary for U.S. House California District 52 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Scott Peters
Scott Peters (D)
 
49.1
 
111,897
Image of Jim DeBello
Jim DeBello (R) Candidate Connection
 
32.4
 
73,779
Image of Nancy Casady
Nancy Casady (D) Candidate Connection
 
16.0
 
36,422
Image of Ryan Cunningham
Ryan Cunningham (Independent) Candidate Connection
 
2.5
 
5,701

Total votes: 227,799
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Jerlilia Ryans completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ryans' responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

My name is Jerlilia Ryans. I am a small business owner, an attorney, and a caregiver for my elder siblings. I have lived in San Diego for over 40 years, and I am running for Congress to defend our democracy and fight for the kitchen-table issues that matter most to working families—affordability, the rising cost of living, universal healthcare for all, affordable housing, a meaningful child tax credit, and a fair, comprehensive immigration plan.

I am running because every single day our democracy is being threatened. The Trump administration and its allies continue to undermine our institutions, our rights, and the rule of law. The American people deserve a representative who will stand up every day—without fear or compromise—to protect their freedoms and fight for their future.

As an attorney, I understand the law. As an American, I believe deeply in the Constitution and in equal justice under the law. I am running for Congress to ensure that our government works for the people—not special interests—and to build an economy and democracy that leave no one behind.
  • 1. A Proven Advocate for Working Families . I am a small business owner, an attorney, and a caregiver who understands the real-life challenges families face. I’m running to lower the cost of living and fight for kitchen-table priorities like affordable housing, universal healthcare for all, a meaningful child tax credit, and economic policies that let working people get ahead—not just survive.
  • 2. Defending Democracy and the Constitution As an attorney and a lifelong American, I believe deeply in the Constitution, the rule of law, and equal justice. At a time when our democracy is under constant attack, I will stand up every day to protect our democratic institutions, civil rights, and freedoms—no matter who is in power.
  • 3. Deep Roots, Real Leadership for San Diego I’ve lived in San Diego for over 40 years and have dedicated my life to serving my community. I’m running for Congress to bring principled, people-centered leadership to Washington—leadership that answers to voters, not special interests, and delivers real solutions for our district.
1. Lowering the Cost of Living & Economic Justice

Fighting rising costs for housing, healthcare, childcare, utilities, and everyday necessities. Supporting fair wages, small businesses, and tax policies—like a strong child tax credit—that put working families first.

2. Universal Healthcare for All
Ensuring healthcare is a human right, not a privilege. Supporting a universal healthcare system that lowers costs, expands access, protects patients, and allows families to get care without fear of medical debt.

3. Affordable Housing & Homelessness Solutions
Investing in affordable housing, renter protections, and pathways to homeownership while addressing homelessness with humane, evidence-based solutions.

4. Defending Democracy & rule of law

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Note: Ryans submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on February 12, 2026.


2024

Jerlilia Ryans did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Jerlilia Ryans did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.


Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Jerlilia Ryans campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2026* U.S. House California District 48Candidacy Declared primary$0 $6,006
2024U.S. House California District 50Withdrew primary$18,223 $17,563
2020U.S. House California District 52Withdrew primary$0 N/A**
Grand total$18,223 $23,568
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Election Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 12, 2026


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