Rep. Darrell Issa announces retirement after 25 years in Congress

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., will retire at the end of his current term and supports San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond to succeed him, he confirmed to Fox News on Friday.

Issa’s seat is in California’s newly redrawn 48th District, which was reshaped to favor Democrats under the state’s Proposition 50.

“Today, I am announcing my enthusiastic support for Supervisor Jim Desmond for Congress – to represent California’s new 48th District,” Issa told Fox News. “Jim is not only a personal friend, he is a true patriot, a Navy veteran, a successful businessman and 20 years of public service. He understands this community, was born and raised here, and will make a tremendous member of Congress.”

Rep. Darrell Issa, Republican of California, speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, DC, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Issa said stepping down after 25 years in Congress — and another 25 years in business — was not an easy decision.

“First, we built the right campaign infrastructure, support was overwhelming – including from President Trump – and our polling was unequivocal: We would win this race,” he said. “But after a quarter century in Congress – and before that, a quarter century in business – it’s the right time for a new chapter and new challenges.”

Among his recent efforts, Issa highlighted winning the Congressional Medal of Honor for retired Navy Capt. Royce Williams, crediting President Trump with making the award possible.

“For a decade, my team and I fought non-stop for Royce, and were turned down for him more times than I can remember,” he said. “But everything changed this year. President Trump made Royce’s award possible, and when I saw the First Lady present the Medal of Honor to my hero, it felt like more than just a job done. It felt like a career accomplishment.”

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Representative Darrell Issa, a Republican from California, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Florida, U.S., Sunday, February 27, 2022. (Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Issa said he would remain focused on his service until 2026.

“There is still work to be done throughout 2026, both in Washington and in my current beloved 48th District – and as many days as I have left, I will dedicate every one of them to the people I serve and the indispensable nation I am sworn to protect as a Soldier in the Army and as a proud and grateful member of the People’s House of Representatives,” he said.

In a phone interview with Fox News, Issa also claimed that Congress had “diminished itself,” citing stagnant wages and the growing influence of outside money in elections.

“Unfortunately, they allowed outside money to overtake domestic money in elections,” he said. “…And more and more people live and die by social media rather than substance, so I hope there’s a pendulum there. You know, some of the only people in Congress can change.”

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U.S. Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) speaks to the media during a press conference May 28, 2010, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) praised Issa’s tenure.

“We are grateful for Congressman Darrell Issa’s decades of dedicated service to the people of California and our nation,” NRC spokesperson Christian Martinez told Fox News. “Throughout his career, he embodied the spirit of public service, defended our military, and fought tirelessly for a stronger America.”

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“We are optimistic that this district will continue to be represented by a Republican who will stand for common sense and reject the radical agenda and chaos that progressive Marni von Wilpert and socialist Ammar Campa-Najjar would bring.”

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