Issa Retires, Opens California Seat

0:00On March 7th, California Representative Darryl Issa is set to bow out of his re-election race in the 48th Congressional District just before. The state's filing deadline on Friday, the 71-year-old Republican, a fixture in Congress for over two decades, has not submitted paperwork to run again, according to reports from multiple sources. Issa first won his seat in 2001, representing parts of Northern San Diego County. He gained fame as a sharp critic of Democrats and chaired the House Oversight Committee, leading key probes during the Obama years. After losing in 2018 the mid-a-tuff cycle for his party, he reclaimed a nearby district in 2020. This move opens up a coastal southern California seat that's grown more competitive lately, drawing eyes from both parties. Voters there have seen shifting winds, making it a prime battleground. The last minute timing could scramble plans for potential challengers, who now have little window to jump in and file. It's unclear if Issa will retire fully, or chase new paths, given his ongoing work on

1:04national security. With the ballot now wide open, expect the rush of candidates vying to fill this key spot as California's primary season heats up.