Anti-Trump fervor could cost the GOP this 8-term congressman’s seat
If you're seeking an example of Donald Trump's potentially damaging effect on down-ballot elections, look no further than the 49th District in California, a region that includes parts of San Diego, Orange County, and Camp Pendleton. For over a decade, California's 49th has been a deeply red spot in the liberal state, represented by eight-term congressman Darrell Issa, who hasn't needed to mount an election campaign since he first took office in 2000.
This year, though, Cook Political Report has redefined the district as a "toss up," with a very real threat coming from Democrat Doug Applegate.
Applegate, a former Marine, has used Issa's support of Donald Trump to turn the district's many military members against him. "I knew this was a Marine district," Applegate said in an interview with The Washington Post. "I knew one thing the Democrats never have tried is to run a Marine. And I know that in the military, if you say anything that's racist or misogynistic, 9 out of 10 times you'll be disciplined for it."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Applegate also owes his unexpected support to a wave of Democratic registrations that followed Bernie Sanders' passionate campaign, as well as Latino backlash against Trump. "The Democrats are on the right side of the issues, but we'd never found a way to compel them to vote in great numbers," San Diego's Democratic Party chair Francine Busby said. "I knew we needed Latino organizers to make it work, and now that's happened. They're frightened about Trump."
As Politico points out, Issa "isn't the only House Republican on the cusp of losing in California thanks, at least in part, to Donald Trump's down-ballot drag." Reps. Jeff Denham, David Valadao, and Steve Knight have also found themselves struggling against top-of-the-ticket backlash.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
'Wolf Hall: the Mirror and the Light' season two – still a "crown jewel"
The Week Recommends Damian Lewis and Mark Rylance star in this 'superlative' Tudor drama on BBC One
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Election Day. Finally.'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Incendiary device plot: Russia's 'rehearsals' for attacks on transatlantic flights
The Explainer Security officials warn of widespread Moscow-backed 'sabotage campaign' in retaliation for continued Western support for Ukraine
By The Week UK Published
-
Moldova's pro-West president wins 2nd term
Speed Read Maia Sandu beat Alexandr Stoianoglo, despite suspicions of Russia meddling in the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
2024 race ends with swing state barnstorming
Speed Read Kamala Harris and Donald Trump held rallies in battlegrounds over the weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
North Korea tests ICBM, readies troops in Ukraine
Speed Read Thousands of North Korean troops are likely to join Russian action against Ukraine
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Women take center stage in campaign finale
Speed Read Harris and Trump are trading gender attacks in the final days before the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Supreme Court allows purge of Virginia voter rolls
Speed Read Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) is purging some 1,600 people from state voter rolls days before the election
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Empowered' Steve Bannon released from prison
Speed Read Bannon was set free a week before Election Day and quickly returned to his right-wing podcast to promote Trump
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Canada accuses top Modi ally of directing Sikh attacks
Speed Read Indian Home Minister Amit Shah was allegedly behind a campaign of violence and intimidation targeting Sikh separatists
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published