Issa moves toward challenging indicted Rep. Duncan Hunter
SAN DIEGO » Former Congressman Darrell Issa has taken a step toward challenging indicted U. S. Rep. Duncan Hunter for a Southern California seat, a campaign that would bring his strong name recognition, deep pockets and reputation as one of President Barack Obama’s chief antagonists to a race that has long been safe for Republicans.
Issa formed an exploratory committee to replace fellow Republican Hunter, who is scheduled to be tried in January for allegedly siphoning campaign money for personal use. The committee allows Issa to raise money.
“I have received such a tremendous outpouring of encouragement from supporters inside the district, and around the state and across the Nation,” Issa says on his website. “I’m truly grateful for the many encouraging phone calls, messages and letters that I have received.”
No one responded to messages left through the website or with Campaign Compliance Group, a company that is managing contributions made through the site.
Issa, 65, was widely known to be considering a run, having told The Wall Street Journal that he might seek the seat. The former nine- term congressman announced his retirement before the 2018 election in a neighboring district that he narrowly won two years earlier. That seat flipped parties last year to Mike Levin in an election cycle that raised Democrats’ advantage over Republicans in California’s congressional delegation to 46-7.
Issa, who enthusiastically backed Donald Trump’s presidential bid, was picked last year to lead the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. His appointment has yet to be approved by the Senate.
Hunter, 42, also is being challenged by Republican Carl DeMaio, a radio host and former San Diego city councilman with broad name recognition, and Democrat Ammar CampaNajjar, who came within 3.4 percentage points of unseating Hunter in November.
Issa’s entry would make it one of the most closely watched congressional contests in the country, though Republicans have a big advantage in voter registration in California’s 50th District, which covers east San Diego County and a small part of southern Riverside County.