Redistricting forced a California GOP congressman to weigh a Texas move. He tells AP why he’s not
WASHINGTON AP California Rep Darrell Issa says he was required by Texas colleagues to consider moving to Dallas to run for Congress after lawmakers in both states created a midterm scramble by redrawing congressional districts But in a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press on Friday Issa explained why he s staying put and urged fellow California Republicans facing tough new districts to do the same I m not giving up on California and hopefully none of my colleagues that have been drawn into tough districts are going to give up I m hoping they all run and preferably not against each other Issa stated the AP by phone California Republican Reps Ken Calvert and Young Kim have already revealed they will run against each other in a new district that includes parts of Riverside and Orange counties combining specific of their existing districts Republican Reps Doug LaMalfa and Kevin Kiley who were also drawn into more hard districts have announced they plan to run for reelection President Donald Trump sparked 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 federal courts have blocked or altered chosen plans New congressional maps are typically drawn once a decade after the Census comes out The next maps are due to be created in time for the referendum I think that redrawing districts in between censuses is inherently unconstitutional mentioned Issa who refrained from criticizing Trump his close ally for pushing the effort Facing tougher reelection odds Issa revealed the Texas delegation approached him noting that specific members saw merit in almost the poetic justice of We ve created additional seats we need to fill them Out of respect you don t just blow off your colleagues You say Okay I ll you know I ll give it due consideration Issa added Issa was eyeing Texas nd 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 stated earlier this week that she had a favorable view of Issa as a California congressman but noted he doesn t 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 pretty deep roots in California Sought whether Trump had required him to remain in the seat Issa reported he speaks to both the president and other people of the White House pretty regularly But no nobody you know reported Or else or anything like that he stated Issa s 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 declared We ve all been encouraged by Richard Hudson and you know our own squad 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 Source
