A California Republican faces long odds after redistricting. Will he seek a safer seat in Texas?

California Redistricting Pushes GOP Rep. Issa to Consider Texas Relocation

In a striking illustration of how redistricting can reshape political careers, Republican Congressman Darrell Issa is considering an unprecedented move from California to Texas to preserve his lengthy tenure in the House of Representatives.

The wealthy former car alarm magnate faces a dramatically altered political landscape after California voters passed Proposition 50 last month, which redrew the state’s congressional map to boost Democratic candidates’ chances. Issa’s current district has been reconfigured to include the Democratic stronghold of Palm Springs, making his re-election prospects significantly dimmer.

According to a person familiar with Issa’s thinking who requested anonymity to discuss private deliberations, the congressman is weighing several options, including the extraordinary step of relocating to Texas’ 32nd District, northeast of Dallas. The decision must come quickly as Texas’ filing deadline is Monday.

This potential cross-country migration exemplifies the far-reaching consequences of the nationwide redistricting battle ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. While Texas Republicans have engineered maps to strengthen their position, California Democrats have countered with their own redistricting strategy, creating a coast-to-coast chess match with real political careers at stake.

“It’s an extreme example of how lawmakers commonly seek greener political pastures after redistricting,” noted political analyst Sarah Reynolds. “We often see representatives shift to neighboring districts, but crossing state lines is exceptionally rare and highlights the high stakes of this redistricting cycle.”

Issa, who has served in Congress for nearly a quarter-century, is no stranger to political adaptation. He previously abandoned his increasingly Democratic coastal district for a more Republican-friendly inland area east of San Diego. However, the latest California redistricting presents a far more formidable challenge to his political survival.

Not everyone supports Issa’s potential Texas strategy. Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, who heads the House Republicans’ campaign arm, has expressed skepticism about the move. “I’ve encouraged Darrell to run in his current district,” Hudson stated, suggesting party leadership may prefer Issa stand his ground in California.

Local Texas Republicans have also voiced reservations about Issa’s possible candidacy in their state. Liz Gover, a Dallas County Republican Party precinct chair, questioned whether Issa’s lack of Texas residency would resonate with voters. “I think people would want — in any district — someone who lived in the district, in the state,” she said. “Does he know Texas?”

Darrell Day, already running as a Republican in the Texas district Issa is eyeing, was more blunt: “If California voters aren’t going to vote for him, I don’t know why he thinks Texas voters would vote for him.” Day added pointedly, “If he’s looking for an easy seat, he’s looking in the wrong place. We look forward to kicking his ass.”

The situation remains fluid as legal challenges to redistricting maps continue nationwide. The Supreme Court is currently considering whether to uphold a lower court ruling that blocked new Texas districts approved by Republican state officials.

Issa’s dilemma underscores the broader political tensions between America’s two most populous states. California and Texas have long been fierce rivals, with their governors—Democrat Gavin Newsom and Republican Greg Abbott—engaged in an ongoing feud over taxes, gun control, and cultural issues. “Don’t California my Texas” merchandise has become popular among Texans resistant to what they perceive as West Coast influence.

U.S. Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, took a more welcoming stance, noting he hasn’t personally reached out to Issa but adding: “I’m happy to talk to him. We’ve got a lot of other immigrants from California.”

As Republicans face the challenge of maintaining their slim House majority in the upcoming midterms—historically difficult for the party controlling the White House—every seat becomes crucial. Whether Issa ultimately decides to relocate to Texas, shift to another California district, or step away from politics altogether, his decision will reflect the extraordinary pressures faced by lawmakers in an era of aggressive redistricting.