Redistricting forced a California GOP congressman to weigh a Texas move. He tells AP why he’s not

California Congressman Declines Texas Opportunity Amid Redistricting Battles

California Representative Darrell Issa revealed he was approached by Texas colleagues to relocate to Dallas and run for Congress there, following controversial congressional redistricting efforts in both states. In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press on Friday, Issa confirmed he ultimately decided to remain in California and encouraged fellow Republicans facing similar challenges to stay put as well.

“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 told the AP by phone.

The redistricting situation has already created significant intraparty conflicts in California. Republican Representatives Ken Calvert and Young Kim have announced they will compete against each other in a newly formed district combining portions of Riverside and Orange counties. Meanwhile, Republican Representatives Doug LaMalfa and Kevin Kiley, who also face more challenging electoral landscapes, have committed to seeking reelection.

The current redistricting turmoil began when former President Donald Trump urged Texas Republicans to redraw congressional boundaries with the goal of securing five additional seats for the party. California Democrats responded with their own redistricting plan designed to gain five seats for Democrats, an effort that received voter approval. The political maneuvering has spread to other states, though federal courts have intervened in some instances, blocking or modifying certain plans.

Traditionally, congressional maps are redrawn once every decade following the U.S. Census. The next scheduled redistricting is expected to take place for the 2032 election cycle.

“I think that redrawing districts in between censuses is inherently unconstitutional,” Issa stated, though he noticeably refrained from criticizing Trump, a close political ally who initiated the redistricting push.

The congressman explained that members of the Texas delegation approached him about running in their state, noting that some Texas Republicans saw “poetic justice” in the idea of filling the newly created seats. Issa was specifically considering Texas’ 32nd District, located northeast of Dallas. While several candidates have filed to run for this seat, none possess Issa’s national profile or political experience.

“Out of respect, you don’t just blow off your colleagues. You say, ‘Okay, I’ll give it due consideration,'” Issa explained, describing his response to the Texas overture.

Local Texas Republican leaders had mixed reactions to the potential candidacy. Liz Gover, a precinct chair for the Dallas County Republican Party, acknowledged earlier this week that while she viewed Issa favorably as a California congressman, she noted his lack of Texas residency and expressed support for local Republican candidate Darrell Day.

When asked if Trump had requested he remain in his California seat, Issa mentioned that he speaks with “both the president and other people of the White House pretty regularly,” but clarified that “nobody said ‘Or else,’ or anything like that.”

Issa’s decision to stay put represents a win for California Republicans, ensuring an incumbent will contest what has become a battleground seat in San Diego County. However, it does not resolve the situation in Texas, where redistricting and numerous retirements have created several competitive openings. Texas candidates face a filing deadline on Monday.

The congressman indicated that party leadership, including National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson, has been encouraging incumbents to seek reelection. “We’ve all been encouraged by Richard Hudson and our own team, 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,” Issa said.

As both parties prepare for the crucial 2022 midterm elections, the consequences of these redistricting battles will significantly impact the balance of power in Congress and could determine which party controls the House of Representatives for the remainder of President Biden’s first term.