Republican Retirements in Congress Mount as Rep. Darrell Issa Steps Aside

 

by Alex Seitz-Wald

WASHINGTON — Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., one of the most prominent and endangered Republicans in Congress, has decided not to run for reelection in November, becoming the latest in a string of vulnerable GOP incumbents to retire ahead of midterm elections expected to favor Democrats.

Issa, who made a national name for himself as an Obama administration antagonist while leading a House investigative committee, will not seek a 10th term.

"Throughout my service, I worked hard and never lost sight of the people our government is supposed to serve," Issa said in a statement. "Yet with the support of my family, I have decided that I will not seek re-election in California's 49th District."

With many observers expecting a Democratic wave in November, some vulnerable Republicans are rushing to get out of the way.

On Tuesday, another Southern California Republican, Rep. Ed Royce, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, announced he too would not run for reelection, and Republicans worry more are coming soon.

"Right now, Republicans need to be careful that this doesn't turn into tsunami of retirements," former GOP Virginia Rep. Tom Davis told NBC News. "This should be a wake up call to leaders." 

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Source: NBC News