Rep. Darrell Issa is retiring, a move that increases the risk of GOP control of the House
los angeles — Just three months after declaring “I will not resign,” California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa announced Friday that he would retire rather than face a tough reelection campaign in a redrawn district.
“This is the time for a new chapter and new challenges,” Issa said in a statement.
“Serving in Congress has been the honor of my life.”
Issa, the car alarm magnate who is considered one of the richest members of Congress, was a major opponent of President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when he served as chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, from 2011 to early 2015.
Issa’s surprise shift creates more uncertainty in the race for Southern California’s 48th District, which was radically reshaped in November after voter approval. A new map of the American home California favors the Democrats.
With the incumbent withdrawing from the candidacy, it may be difficult for Republicans to retain the seat, and thus the party’s fragile majority in the House.
After redistricting, Issa considered leaving California to run for Congress in Texas. But at that time he decided to stay in his home state.
“I can take this seat. I will not leave California and neither should anyone else,” Issa, who represents a well-established district in San Diego County, said in a statement at the time.
California’s new congressional map, led by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, aims to flip up to five Republican-controlled seats to Democrats this year to offset President Donald Trump’s campaign. Pay in Texas He won five seats for his party there.
The fight to redraw U.S. House districts for partisan advantage is a national fight Still raging In some states before the midterm elections in November.
Voters in Texas and North Carolina have already cast ballots in primaries for US House districts that were redrawn at Trump’s request. But the final boundaries of voting districts remain uncertain in Missouri, even though candidates are already filing for office. It’s also unclear in Virginia, where new congressional districts could depend on voter referendum and court rulings.
Issa said in his statement that he supports San Diego County Supervisor James Desmond to succeed him.
