California U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, a longtime Republican representing San Diego–area districts, announced Friday that he will not seek reelection, opening a newly redrawn congressional seat that now leans toward Democrats, including many LGBTQ candidates. Issa, 72, said the decision followed reflection on his decades in business and public service. Issa endorsed Republican county supervisor Jim Desmond as his successor, calling him a true patriot.
The race centers on California’s newly reconfigured 48th Congressional District, which spans parts of San Diego and Riverside counties. A voter-approved redistricting plan shifted the once safely Republican district to one where Democrats now hold about a four-point registration advantage. The changes also added the liberal desert city of Palm Springs, known for its large LGBTQ+ population.
It is no wonder that more than a dozen candidates have filed to run for the districts, most of them Democrats. Some of the names include Marni von Wilpert, Ammar Campa-Najjar, Stephen Clemons, Ferguson Porter, and gay tech entrepreneur Brandon Riker. Desmond has faced criticism from some LGBTQ+ activists in the past. In a February 2025 Facebook post, the group San Diego Drag March for Trans Rights accused him of supporting efforts backing federal legislation that would bar transgender women and girls from participating in women’s sports.
