LOS ANGELES — U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, a top foe of President Barack Obama and one of the highest-profile members of Congress, was in the toughest fight of his political career Tuesday as California Democrats sought to use opposition to Donald Trump to build on their commanding lead in the nation's largest congressional delegation.
In the 49th District that straddles San Diego and Orange counties, Issa led Democrat Doug Applegate with about 52 percent of 96,000 votes counted. Applegate, an attorney and retired Marine colonel, was seeking elected office for the first time.
Issa, the wealthiest member of Congress, cruised to re-election seven times against little-known opponents, including a 21-point victory in 2014. Applegate surprised almost everyone in the June top-two primary when he came within 5 percentage points of Issa to advance to November's runoff.
Applegate has targeted Issa for his support of Trump and his role as President Barack Obama's chief inquisitor as chairman of the powerful House Oversight and Government Reform Committee from 2011 to 2015.
Doug Applegate, center, candidate for California's 49th Congressional District, speaks to veterans Friday, Oct. 28, 2016, in Solana Beach, Calif. The retired Marine colonel is running against Republican Representative Darrell Issa in elections this year.
Photo Credit: Gregory Bull/AP
Issa compared Trump to Ronald Reagan, served as a delegate for him at the Republican National Convention and joined his team of national security advisers last month.
Republicans have a 7-point advantage over Democrats in voter registration in the district.
