Darrell Issa

Darrell Issa
Issa in 2022
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from California
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2021
Preceded byDuncan D. Hunter
Constituency50th district (2021–2023)
48th district (2023–present)
In office
January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2019
Preceded byRon Packard
Succeeded byMike Levin
Constituency48th district (2001–2003)
49th district (2003–2019)
Chair of the House Oversight Committee
In office
January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2015
Preceded byEdolphus Towns
Succeeded byJason Chaffetz
Personal details
Born (1953-11-01) November 1, 1953 (age 71)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouses
Marcia Enyart
​
(divorced)​
Kathy Stanton
​
​
(m. 1980; div. 2021)​
Children1 son
ResidenceVista, California
EducationSiena Heights University (BA)
SignatureDarrell Issa
WebsiteHouse website
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service
  • 1970–1972 (active)
  • 1976–1980 (reserve)
RankCaptain
Darrell Issa's voice
Issa, as chair of the House Oversight Committee, speaks in support of H.R.2061, the DATA Act of 2013
Recorded November 18, 2013
[1][2]

Darrell Edward Issa (/ˈaɪsə/ ICE-ə; born November 1, 1953)[3] is an American businessman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for California's 48th congressional district. He represented the 50th congressional district from 2021 to 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served in the United States House of Representatives from 2001 to 2019, representing two districts primarily covering North County in the San Diego area, first the 48th district for one term and then the 49th district for eight terms. From January 2011 to January 2015, he chaired the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Issa was CEO of Directed Electronics, which he co-founded in 1982.[4] It is one of the largest makers of automobile aftermarket security and convenience products in the United States. With a net worth of approximately $460 million, Issa is the wealthiest serving member of Congress as of 2023.[5]

On January 10, 2018, Issa announced that he would not seek reelection to the House.[6] Democrat Mike Levin was elected on November 6, 2018, to become the district's next representative.[7] On September 19, 2018, President Donald Trump nominated Issa to be director of the United States Trade and Development Agency.[8][9]

On September 26, 2019, Issa announced that he was running for California's 50th congressional district in the 2020 election.[10][11] He placed second in the March top-two primary, advancing to face Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar in the November general election.[12] Issa defeated Campa-Najjar.[13]

  1. ^ "Darrell Issa". Federal Directory (fee via Fairfax County Public Library). Bethesda, MD: Carroll Publishing. 2011. Gale Document Number: GALE |K2415002216. Retrieved September 7, 2013. Biography In Context. (subscription required)
  2. ^ Barone, Michael; Chuck McCutcheon (2011). The Almanac of American Politics 2012. Washington, D.C.: National Journal Group. pp. 267–69. ISBN 978-0-226-03807-0.
  3. ^ "ISSA, Darrell 1953 –". Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  4. ^ "Directed - Our History". www.directed.com. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  5. ^ "Mitt Romney, Rick Scott and 3 More of the Richest Members of Congress". www.yahoo.com. February 21, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  6. ^ Marcos, Cristina (January 10, 2018). "Issa retiring from Congress". The Hill. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  7. ^ "California's 49th Congressional District election, 2018". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  8. ^ Bade, Rachael (September 19, 2018). "Trump taps Darrell Issa to lead trade agency". Politico. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  9. ^ Burke, Michael (September 19, 2018). "Trump to nominate retiring lawmaker as head of trade agency". The Hill. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  10. ^ O'Reilly, Andrew (September 26, 2019). "Darrell Issa launches House bid against embattled fellow Republican Duncan Hunter". Fox News.
  11. ^ "Former California Rep. Darrell Issa Announces Run Against Indicted Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter". KTLA. September 26, 2019.
  12. ^ "Super Tuesday in San Diego: Campa-Najjar and Issa will face off for California's 50th Congressional race in November". CBS News 8. March 4, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  13. ^ Conradis, Brandon (November 7, 2020). "Issa defeats Campa-Najjar in California House race". TheHill.