Rumors run wild about what Rep. Darrell Issa plans to do as he finishes out his final term as representative of California’s 49th congressional district, but according to some close to the congressman, he would only consider running for Congressman Duncan Hunter’s seat if Hunter chose not to run for re-election.

A source close to Issa said on Friday that Congressman Issa has no plans to challenge Congressman Hunter for his seat in the House of Representatives. That could change if Hunter’s seat became vacant. Should that happen, the source said that Issa would strongly consider the option of running for the seat.

Issa announced on Wednesday that he would not run for re-election to his current seat in the House as the representative for California’s 49th district. Issa held on to the seat by a less than one percent margin in the 2016 election against Democrat Doug Applegate. Applegate and several other Democrats are running for the seat in the 2018 midterm elections to try to flip the currently Republican 49th district seat Democrat.

The Hill reported on Thursday that, according to sources, Issa had been discussing running for Hunter’s seat. San Diego insiders have indicated that several Republicans may have their eyes on Hunter’s seat.

That same day Hunter declared that he is “100%” running for re-election in 2018. “I am 100% running for reelection and with continued support from those in my district and the full endorsement of the Republican Party of San Diego County,” he said in the Thursday statement.

Hunter has been plagued for months with the threat of legal action in relation to campaign finance activities. Federal authorities searched the office of Hunter’s campaign treasurer last February according to NBC7 San Diego. The outlet reported this week that a grand jury subpoena has been issued in the investigation.

Hunter’s Thursday statement was adamant in his resolve to run for re-election and went on, “I appreciate the opportunity to serve the people of the 50th Congressional District, my values reflect their values, and there remains much work to do.”

California Board of Equalization Chairwoman Diane Harkey revealed her intention to run for Issa’s seat on Wednesday. Other Republicans have also begun to throw their hat in the ring for the seat including State Assemblyman Rocky Chavez and attorney Josh Schoonover according to 10 News. Chavez previously made a run for U.S. Senate in California, but short on funding, he withdrew his bid in February 2016 to run for re-election to his Assembly seat according to the Sacramento Bee.

Applegate is just one of four Democrats hoping to snatch the 49th district seat from Republicans according to 10 News. Sarah Jacobs, Mike Levine, and Paul Kerr are the other three Democrats that have made it known they are seeking to take the seat.

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