The Story:
Darrell Issa, a California Republican who chaired the House Oversight Committee 2011-2015, and who declined to run for re-election in 2018, may have become bored with retirement quickly. He is now seeking his party’s nomination for next years election for California’s 50th Congressional District.
Background:
The 50th district consists of the central and northeastern portion of San Diego County along with a part of adjacent Riverside County.
This represents a move for Issa. His old district was the 49th, the northern and western (coastal) portion of San Diego County.
Should Issa be elected from the 50th, the district will not change hands in terms of party. It is now represented by Duncan D. Hunter, also a Republican. Hunter, though, is the object of a criminal investigation over misuse of campaign funds, and many Republicans are concerned that this seat will be a Democratic pick-up unless they find a strong replacement — hence the interest in importing Issa.
The Thing to Know:
Issa in Congress was a prominent opponent of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and then an advocate of its repeal. A campaign in which he became the Republican nominee for the 50th District in 2020 would likely focus on that point.
