House Republican Darrell Issa not seeking reelection by Sophie Brams - 03/07/26 8:57 AM ET by Sophie Brams - 03/07/26 8:57 AM ET Share ✕ LinkedIn LinkedIn Email Email NOW PLAYING Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) announced Friday that he would not seek reelection to his newly redrawn southern California seat, adding uncertainty to the GOP’s efforts to cling to its narrow House majority in the midterms. Issa, who has served in the House since 2001, wrote in a statement that it was “the right time for a new chapter and new challenges.” “Serving in Congress has been the honor of my life, and every day my teams in Washington and California have worked to deliver for our constituents — like most recently gaining the Congressional Medal of Honor for the Secret Soldier of the Korean War, the great Royce Williams,” he wrote. The 12-term congressman would have faced a tough reelection fight as his San Diego district was among those redrawn after voters approved Proposition 50 last November, which allowed a friendlier map for Democrats. The referendum, which created up to five potential pickup opportunities for Democrats, sought to counterbalance redistricting in red states such as Texas.   Issa had initially insisted that he could hold the competitive seat despite redistricting, even as a slew of Democratic challengers entered the race, and he privately expressed concerns. He was rumored at the time to be considering a bid in Texas, but that idea was later dismissed. “I’m thrilled to set the record straight and here’s the truth: Texas House members and residents of that state did ask if I would consider running there following Gavin Newsom’s historically corrupt gerrymander,” Issa told Fox News in December.   “I appreciate the opportunity, but California is my home. I told them I’m going to stay in Congress, and I don’t need to go to Texas for that,” he added at the time. Issa’s retirement announcement came the same day as another vulnerable Republican lawmaker, Rep. Kevin Kiley (Calif.), said he would run as an independent instead in the midterms. In a statement explaining his switch to “no party preference,” Kiley framed the decision as a fight against the “plague” of gerrymandering. “As an elected representative, I’ve always seen my role as being an independent voice for our community, holding politicians in Sacramento and Washington accountable to serve my constituents. I answer to you, not party leaders,” he wrote on social platform X. More than 50 House members have opted not to seek another term this election cycle, putting congressional retirements on track to reach their highest level in a decade.   Add as preferred source on Google Tags 2026 midterm elections California California Proposition 50 Darrell Issa Gavin Newsom House GOP Issa retirement Kevin Kiley redistricting Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Share ✕ LinkedIn LinkedIn Email Email More House News See All House Republicans hope Iran conflict doesn’t become a ‘forever war’ by Sudiksha Kochi 4 hours ago House  /  4 hours ago