Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

House of Representatives

Darrell Issa launches exploratory committee in possible challenge to Rep. Duncan Hunter

By Louis Casiano Fox News
Published
close
Fox News Flash top headlines for August 29 Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for August 29

Fox News Flash top headlines for August 29 are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com

Former Rep. Darrell Issa launched an exploratory committee in a possible congressional bid that could see him challenging embattled GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter just one year after he retired from the House.

The California Republican announced the news on his campaign website.

"I have formally launched an exploratory committee for the 50th Congressional District in California," Issa said on the site.

Former Rep. Darrell Issa, seen here on Capitol Hill last December, has taken a step toward challenging Rep. Duncan Hunter for a Southern California seat. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

Former Rep. Darrell Issa, seen here on Capitol Hill last December, has taken a step toward challenging Rep. Duncan Hunter for a Southern California seat. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

"I have received such a tremendous outpouring of encouragement from supporters inside the district, and around the state and across the nation. I’m truly grateful for the many encouraging phone calls, messages and letters that I have received."

Hunter, who faces multiple campaign finance violation charges, is scheduled to go on trial in January.

Issa, the former chairman of the House Oversight Committee, retired from Congress before the 2018 midterm election after serving nine terms in the 49th District. He barely survived a hotly contested 2016 election.

His seat went to Democrat Mike Levin, one of several seats Democrats were able to flip. Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar is expected to run for the 50th District seat after coming within a few points of unseating Hunter last year.

In this July 1 photo, Rep. Duncan Hunter leaves federal court after a hearing in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy,File)

In this July 1 photo, Rep. Duncan Hunter leaves federal court after a hearing in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy,File)

Hunter has the incumbency advantage, but Issa brings strong name recognition. President Trump nominated him to head the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

 CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Hunter, a Marine Corps veteran, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

His wife, Margaret Hunter, pleaded guilty to conspiring with her husband to use campaign funds for personal expenses.

More from Politics