California Representatives Darrell Issa (R-San Diego) and Ed Royce (R-Orange) announced they will not seek re-election in 2018, adding to a long list of Republican retirements. Both congressional districts voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and according to The Cook Political Report, Royce and Issa’s retirements moved the 2018 election prospects of their districts to “Lean Democratic” suggesting Republicans could lose both seats.
At minimum, 31 House Republican seats will be open in 2018, a record number of vacancies from recent election years. Despite the GOP exodus and Democratic sentiment, the Republican majority benefits from a 24 seat advantage.