Ramona Citrus Growers Face New 93-Square-Mile Quarantine

Trump Endorsement Adds Intrigue to Redrawn Congressional Race

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:18am

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A highly textured, abstract painting featuring overlapping, fractured geometric shapes in shades of orange, yellow, and green, conceptually representing the disruption to Ramona's citrus industry.A visually striking illustration captures the turbulence facing Ramona's citrus growers as new quarantine measures and a high-stakes congressional race reshape the local agricultural landscape.Ramona Today

Ramona has been placed under a new 93-square-mile federal citrus greening quarantine, affecting more than 25 acres of local commercial citrus. The move follows disease detections on residential properties and aligns with recent state quarantine expansions across Southern California citrus regions. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has endorsed County Supervisor Jim Desmond in the race for California's redrawn 48th Congressional District, which now includes Ramona and other East County communities.

Why it matters

The citrus quarantine will impact local growers and disrupt the regional citrus industry, while Trump's endorsement in the congressional race could shape the political representation of Ramona and surrounding areas in Washington.

The details

The new 93-square-mile citrus greening quarantine in Ramona was implemented by federal authorities following the detection of the disease on residential properties. This aligns with recent expansions of citrus quarantines across Southern California as the bacterial infection continues to spread. The quarantine will affect over 25 acres of commercial citrus operations in the area. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has endorsed County Supervisor Jim Desmond in the race for California's redrawn 48th Congressional District, which now includes Ramona. This endorsement has drawn criticism from several Democratic candidates, signaling a heated campaign that will determine who represents Ramona and other East County communities in Congress.

  • The new 93-square-mile citrus greening quarantine in Ramona was implemented in April 2026.
  • Trump's endorsement of Jim Desmond in the 48th Congressional District race came in 2026.

The players

Ramona

A city in California that has been placed under a new 93-square-mile federal citrus greening quarantine.

Jim Desmond

A County Supervisor who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump in the race for California's redrawn 48th Congressional District, which now includes Ramona.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who has endorsed Jim Desmond in the 48th Congressional District race.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The citrus quarantine and the high-profile congressional race in Ramona's new district highlight the complex challenges facing the region's agricultural industry and political landscape.