Darrell Issa announces retirement from the House

His California district had been redrawn to favor Democrats as part of the state’s gerrymandering last year.

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., questions former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith before the House Judiciary Committee at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.  (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) | Mark Schiefelbein/AP

SAN DIEGO — Republican Rep. Darrell Issa is calling it quits — again.

Issa, a polarizing fixture of Southern California politics for more than two decades and an ally of President Donald Trump, announced he will retire at the end of his term – a decision that could help Democrats win his district in the midterms.

Issa made the announcement Friday, soon after the deadline passed to register as a candidate in a district that was redrawn last year and transformed from one that heavily favored Republicans to one that now gives Democrats the edge.

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