Mike Schaefer, a perennial political candidate, filed Tuesday to run in California’s 48th Congressional District, a seat previously represented by Republican Darrell Issa. The district, recently redrawn under California’s Proposition 50, now includes more urban and suburban Democratic voters, making it a competitive or left-leaning race.

Schaefer has a controversial history both politically and personally. He began as a Republican before switching to the Democratic Party in 2004 and has run for office more than 30 times over the past five decades, often finishing with negligible support. His rare electoral successes include serving as the youngest San Diego City Council member at age 27 and winning a seat on the California State Board of Equalization in 2018, later winning re-election in 2022.

Schaefer’s record is marked by repeated scandals. In 2001, he was disbarred in California and Nevada for ethics violations, including submitting false affidavits, influencing witnesses, and ignoring court orders. He was never reinstated despite multiple appeals.

He has also faced legal action over his business practices. In the 1980s, a Los Angeles jury awarded former tenants $1.83 million after determining their 64-unit building was plagued by rats, cockroaches, sewage issues, collapsing floors, and gang activity. Similar complaints arose at his properties in San Diego, Arizona, and Baltimore.

Schaefer was convicted of misdemeanor spousal abuse in 1993 and later served jail time for violating probation terms. In 2013, actor Brad Garrett obtained a permanent restraining order against Schaefer for stalking and harassment in Las Vegas, citing his history of violence and erratic behavior.

The redistricted CA-48 seat is now a target for multiple Democrats, while Republicans, disputing the maps, sued the state, claiming violations of federal voting rights law. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the maps on February 4, leaving Schaefer and other candidates to compete in a reshaped, competitive district.

Schaefer’s entry into the race highlights how redistricting can offer opportunities to controversial figures, raising concerns among voters about experience, ethics, and personal conduct as the November election approaches.