Longtime Republican Rep. Darrell Issa announced Friday he was ending his reelection campaign and endorsing Republican San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, shaking up the race for California’s 48th District — recently redrawn under Proposition 50 to be more blue-leaning.
The decision comes just a few months after Issa, one of the wealthiest members in the U.S. House of Representatives and an ally of President Donald Trump, said he would stay put in California instead of pursuing a safer GOP seat in Texas.
“But after a quarter-century in Congress — and before that, a quarter-century in business — it’s the right time for a new chapter and new challenges,” Issa said in a statement shared with NBC 7 just before 6 p.m. on Friday.
The nationwide redistricting battle was sparked by the president, who urged Texas to reshape districts so the Republican Party could win more seats in the midterm elections. California voters responded by approving a statewide ballot measure in November that redraws voting maps in favor of Democrats.
Since the incumbent did not file by Friday’s 5 p.m. deadline, there’s a five-day extension for others to file for the 48th District seat.
Desmond recently withdrew his bid for California’s 49th District — currently represented by Democratic Rep. Mike Levin — and filed for the 48th District. Issa called Demond a “personal friend” and pointed to his experience as a Navy veteran, businessman and in public service as reasons for the endorsement.
“He understands this community, was born and raised here, and will make a terrific Congressman,” Issa said.
Most of the other candidates vying for Issa’s seat are Democrats, including San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert and Ammar Campa-Najjar, whom Issa defeated in 2020.
Also in his statement, Issa lauded Royce Williams, the 100-year-old Korean War fighter pilot and Escondido resident who received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
“For a decade, my team and I waged a nonstop fight for Royce, and we were turned down on his behalf more times than I can remember,” he said, later adding, “When I witnessed the First Lady place the Medal of Honor on my hero, it was more than just a job done. It felt like a career accomplishment.”
The 48th District covers parts of San Diego County and Riverside County.
Issa’s full statement is below:
“Today I’m announcing my enthusiastic endorsement of Supervisor Jim Desmond for Congress – to represent California’s new 48th district.
“Jim is not only a personal friend, he’s a true patriot, a Navy veteran, a successful businessman, and has a 20-year record of public service. He understands this community, was born and raised here, and will make a terrific Congressman.
“This decision has been on my mind for a while and I didn’t make it lightly.
“First, we built the right campaign infrastructure, support has been overwhelming — including from President Trump — and our polling was unmistakable: We would win this race.
“But after a quarter-century in Congress — and before that, a quarter-century in business — it’s the right time for a new chapter and new challenges.
“Serving in Congress has been the honor of my life, and every day my teams in Washington and California have worked to deliver for our constituents — like most recently gaining the Congressional Medal of Honor for the Secret Soldier of the Korean War, the great Royce Williams.
“A point about our campaign on behalf of Captain Williams: For a decade, my team and I waged a nonstop fight for Royce, and we were turned down on his behalf more times than I can remember.
“But that all changed this year. President Trump made Royce’s award possible, and when I witnessed the First Lady place the Medal of Honor on my hero, it was more than just a job done. It felt like a career accomplishment.
“There is still work to be done throughout 2026 both in Washington and my beloved current 48th District – and as many days that remain, I’ll dedicate each one of them to the people I serve and the indispensable nation I have sworn to protect as a soldier in the Army and as a proud and grateful Member of the People’s House of Representatives.”
This is a developing story that will be updated.
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