Rep.-elect Darrell Issa (R-Calif.-50)

Date of birth: Nov. 1, 1953
Residence: Vista, Calif.
Occupation: former congressman
Education: B.A., Siena Heights College
Family: wife, Kathy; one son

Darrell Issa is returning to Congress to represent California’s 50th District after retiring from representing the state’s neighboring 49th District just a couple years ago.

Issa won after a tight race against Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Duncan Hunter (R), who left Congress after pleading guilty to misusing campaign funds.

Prior to first becoming a congressman in 2001, Issa was a businessman. He founded the company Directed Electronics Inc., known for its Viper car alarm, and amassed a big enough fortune to have consistently been named the wealthiest member of Congress during his earlier tenure.

His first stint in Congress included serving as chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee from 2011 to 2015, a post that saw him lead one of several Republican investigations into the 2012 Benghazi attack.

After leaving Congress, Issa was nominated by President Trump to lead the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, but his confirmation stalled over an undisclosed issue with his FBI background check before he announced his congressional candidacy.

In seeking his comeback, Issa campaigned almost like an incumbent, calling members of the district his “constituents,” directing them to federal resources on COVID-19 and appearing at events with local officials.

— Rebecca Kheel