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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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.
-
5 blustery cartoons about the Stormy Daniels testimony
Cartoons Artists take on gag orders, lurid details, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Idea of You review: 'impossible escapism' starring Anne Hathaway
The Week Recommends Steamy romcom about a 40-year-old who falls for a boy band singer
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: May 11, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published