Report: Former Rep. Darrell Issa Mulling Another Run

Former California Rep. Darrell Issa (R) is paying close attention to the ongoing corruption case against Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and is considering another run, depending on Hunter’s future, the Hill reports.

Issa, who finished out his term in California’s 49th congressional district in January, announced his intention to retire January of last year. Although it has been less than six months since his departure, he is reportedly mulling another run.

The Hill reports:

Issa, who left the House in early January after not seeking reelection, is carefully tracking the federal corruption case involving GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter, whose San Diego-area district is adjacent to the one Issa used to represent.

Sources close to the former Oversight and Reform Committee chairman say he is considering a bid for California’s 50th Congressional District if Hunter resigns or decides not to seek reelection.

In June, Hunter’s wife Margaret Hunter pleaded guilty “to conspiracy to misuse campaign funds.”

“The fact remains that this entire matter should have been handled by the Federal Elections Commission,” Hunter said in a statement at the time:

The DOJ purposely choosing to involve itself in the area where the FEC has primary jurisdiction reveals that their primary agenda was to inflict as much political damage as possible in hopes of picking up a congressional seat. It was politically motivated at the beginning, it remains politically motivated now.

However, there is no guarantee that Issa, who was the wealthiest member of Congress at the time with a net worth of at least $250 million, would receive a warm welcome from all of his former colleagues. Some seem to think his time has passed.

A Republican member said to the Hill, “Issa had his time here … He was able to chair a committee. And most people know that when you retire, you are done. And so, yeah, we know California is a challenging political environment, but I don’t think there’s been a lot of calls made to have him come back.”

Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) said he would support Issa in the event that Duncan stepped down, pointing to Issa’s “servant’s heart.”

“Darrell has got a servant’s heart. If he is willing to serve and continue to serve and can earn the trust of California electorate, I’d be applauding from the stands,” he said, according to the Hill.

No final decision has been made as of yet because there is no official indication that Hunter will step down.

Hunter is aware of the rumors and said that Issa “doesn’t know much” about his district.

“But it’s anybody’s prerogative to run for office anywhere they want to,” he told the Hill.