the 50th

A Scandal

A Dynasty

An Election

For generations, much of San Diego’s rural backcountry has been represented in Congress by members of one family.

But now, Congressman Duncan D. Hunter is pleading guilty to a federal crime and a whole cast of prominent Republicans have challenged the incumbent in the race for the 50th congressional district, claiming that Hunter’s legal challenges are putting the district’s Republican representation at risk.

an emmy-award winning, original documentary series

In 2019, having spent his career as a news photographer, our creative director decided to try his hand at something different.

He wanted to make a documentary.

And the perfect topic was right in front of him.

An East County congressman, who’d come under scrutiny for his illegal use of campaign funds, was running for re-election while facing trial on the charges.

Over the course of a year, he chased the story, enlisting the help of a small army of journalists in the newsroom to bring it all together.

The film premiered at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido in early 2020.

It was awarded the NATAS-PSW Emmy award for Documentary film in 2021.