WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� California Rep. Darrell Issa says he was asked by Texas colleagues to to Dallas to run for Congress after lawmakers in created a by redrawing congressional districts.
But in a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press on Friday, Issa explained why he鈥檚 staying put 鈥� and urged fellow California Republicans facing tough new districts to do the same.
鈥淚鈥檓 not giving up on California, and hopefully none of my colleagues that have been drawn into tough districts are going to give up. I鈥檓 hoping they all run and preferably not against each other,鈥� Issa told the AP by phone.
California Republican Reps. Ken Calvert and Young Kim have already announced they will run against each other in a new district that includes parts of Riverside and Orange counties, combining some of their existing districts. Republican Reps. Doug LaMalfa and Kevin Kiley, who were also drawn into more difficult districts, have said they plan to run for reelection.
the nationwide redistricting battle by urging Republicans in Texas to redraw their congressional lines with the hopes of picking up five more seats. California Democrats responded by creating new maps designed to gain five seats for their own party, an effort approved by voters. Other states have since followed, but have blocked or altered some plans.
New congressional maps are once a decade after the Census comes out. The next maps are due to be created in time for the 2032 election.
鈥淚 think that redrawing districts in between censuses is inherently unconstitutional,鈥� said Issa, who refrained from criticizing Trump, his close ally, for pushing the effort.
Facing tougher reelection odds, Issa said the Texas delegation approached him, noting that some members 鈥渟aw merit in almost the poetic justice of 鈥榃e鈥檝e created additional seats, we need to fill them.鈥欌��
鈥淥ut of respect, you don鈥檛 just blow off your colleagues. You say, 鈥極kay, I鈥檒l, you know, I鈥檒l give it due consideration,鈥欌�� Issa added.
Issa was eyeing Texas鈥� 32nd District, which is northeast of Dallas. While a number of candidates have filed to run for the seat, none of them is as high-profile as Issa.
Liz Gover, a precinct chair for the Dallas County Republican Party, said earlier this week that she had a favorable view of Issa as a California congressman but noted he doesn鈥檛 live in Texas and other candidates are seeking the seat. She is backing Republican Darrell Day in the district.
The National Republican Congressional Committee did not provide comment.
In the end, Issa opted to stay in his seat, citing his 鈥減retty deep鈥� roots in California. Asked whether Trump had asked him to remain in the seat, Issa said he speaks to 鈥渂oth the president and other people of the White House pretty regularly.鈥�
鈥淏ut no, nobody, you know, said 鈥極r else,鈥� or anything like that,鈥� he said.
Issa鈥檚 decision to stay in California is a win for Republicans, ensuring an incumbent will contest the now-battleground seat in San Diego County. But it doesn’t change things in Texas, where redistricting and a number of retirements have created openings. Monday is the filing deadline for Texas candidates.
Issa, referring to the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said: 鈥淲e鈥檝e all been encouraged by Richard Hudson and, you know, our own team, that incumbency has an advantage. Please consider not retiring, please consider not doing anything that would make it hard for us to hold our majority in the midterm.鈥�
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