Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) is planning to seek reelection in his California district instead of moving to Texas for a less competitive House run, the 72-year-old congressman confirmed on Thursday.
Issa previously considered running in a Dallas-area district in 2026 after he was dealt a massive blow by California voters’ approval of Proposition 50, a ballot measure designed to boost the number of blue seats in the Golden State. The effort was led by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), who made it his mission to counteract the Republican Party’s nationwide redistricting agenda.
“I believe that the people of San Diego County, who have elected me so many times, will, in fact, regardless of registration, vote for me,” Issa said in his San Diego-area district. “I think I can hold this seat in spite of the governor’s gerrymandering, and my intention is to stay right where I am.”
California’s 48th Congressional District, currently represented by Issa, was once a solidly Republican district but now slightly leans toward Democrats due to a redrawn map.
While noting Texans wanted him to run for the more GOP-friendly seat in their state, Issa decided to stick with California because that’s where he raised his family.
“This is my home,” he added, “and I’m going to fight for it.”
Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), who chairs the National Republican Congressional Committee, said he encouraged Issa to stay in San Diego and run for his current seat.
Despite the show of support from the fundraising arm’s chairman, Issa has been told House GOP leadership won’t invest significant money in his 2026 campaign because he’s “not a top-tier priority,” a veteran California GOP fundraiser told the Los Angeles Times.
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Before Thursday’s announcement, Issa evaded a CNN reporter who asked whether the House Republican was mulling a run in Texas. Punchbowl News reported on the possible move this week.
At least 11 Democratic challengers have already launched campaigns for Issa’s current seat in the 2026 midterm elections. Several Republican candidates were considering a run for Issa’s district if he retired or relocated to Texas, but that is no longer the case in light of his newly announced reelection bid.