GOP Rep. Darrell Issa of California announced his retirement Wednesday, making him the latest in a string of House Republicans that have opted not to seek reelection.
The retirement comes on the heels of GOP Rep. Ed Royce’s Monday retirement announcement. Royce and Issa join 29 fellow House Republicans who have announced they are retiring, seeking another office or stepping down effective immediately since President Donald Trump entered the White House.
“While my service to California’s 49th District will be coming to an end, I will continue advocating on behalf of the causes that are most important to me, advancing public policy where I believe I can make a true and lasting difference, and continuing the fight to make our incredible nation an even better place to call home,” Issa said in a statement.
Issa’s 49th district is widely considered to be one of the seats most vulnerable to a Democratic challenger in 2018. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won the San Diego area district by seven points and Issa, who entered Congress in 2001, barely held on to his seat in 2016.
GOP leaders have acknowledged that the retirements are an issue, as Democrats have to flip 24 seats to take the majority in 2018.
“We’ve got to find better ways to empower people where they feel like this is worth their time,” Rep. Pete Sessions of Texas told the National Journal after he met with his Republican colleagues to discuss the problem.
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