In February, Rep. Darrell Issa bemoaned the Trump administration’s “ban” on DEI.
The East County Republican said at D.C.’s Waldorf Astoria hotel: “I’m sorry, but in this town they’re no longer talking about DEI. DEI is past. It is verboten.”
“It will never be seen again,” he told the Washington Press Club Foundation’s annual congressional dinner.
“One problem. I’m Darrell Edward Issa. I formed a company known as DEI. My email is DEI@DEI.com,” he made up as his comedy riff ended, asking reporters: “Am I going to get the justice I deserve?”
But with his latest financial disclosure, Issa himself seems to be laughing — all the way to the bank.
After a 90-day delay, Issa filed paperwork Aug. 7, listing close to three dozen bank, real estate and investment assets for the 2024 calendar year. Sixteen were valued between $5 million and $25 million. (He’d have more than $400 million if his actual holdings were the maximum.)
According to a live portfolio tracker kept by hedge fund Quiver Quantitative, Issa has a current estimated net worth of $283 million. (It’s his highest value as a House member since 2017 but still short of his net worth in 2014 of more than $450 million.)
That’s No. 3 on the list of federal lawmakers — after GOP Rep. Jefferson Shreve of Indiana ($598 million) and GOP Sen. Rick Scott of Florida ($554 million). Just behind Issa at No. 4 is Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi ($263 million).
As of June 30, Issa had $2.23 million cash on hand for his 2026 re-election campaign in the 48th Congressional District.
But with four or five Democratic rivals and an equally serious Sacramento threat to redraw his district map — taking away his 12-point GOP registration advantage — Issa could use every penny.
His office didn’t respond to my questions about the potential remap or his plans for 2026. (Some have theorized he could jump to another district, since members of Congress need only live in their state.)
His one major liability, as of this month, was a credit-line margin account of more than $50 million. In a comment, he added: “There is a credit line available with UBS up to $80 million, but $0 was borrowed as of 12/31/24.”
(Not factored was Issa’s divorce, in 2021, from his second wife — with details sealed. Katherine “Kathy” Stanton helped Issa start his money-making car alarm company Directed Electronics Inc. in 1982. In late 2000, the Issas sold controlling interest in DEI to a private equity firm based in Miami. But he still has a “member” role in the company.)
For years, and as recently as 2023, Issa was ranked the richest member of Congress, worth an estimated $460 million. And in 2015, Politico’s Jake Sherman wrote: “The California Republican made nearly $25 million from investments in 2014 and has a net worth of $299 million to $768 million, including investments in property in California and Ohio.”
U.S. senators and House members are required, under the Ethics in Government Act, to file a disclosure statement annually. Issa’s 16-page disclosure was filed late — as allowed. He reported no gifts or travel payments or reimbursements in 2024.
According to online records, Issa owns a 3,577-square-foot condo in Washington’s ritzy Kalorama neighborhood with an assessed value of $3.1 million. (Taxes on it last year were $26,575.)
Whether he’ll still live there past January 2027 is an open question.
Last week, Sacramento TV station KCRA reported on a proposed remap: “Districts now held by Republican Reps. Ken Calvert, Darrell Issa, Kevin Kiley, David Valadao and Doug LaMalfa would see right-leaning voters shaved and Democratic voters boosted in a shift that would make it likely a left-leaning candidate would prevail in each race.”
(The report added: “In districts held by Democratic Reps. Dave Min, Mike Levin and Derek Tran, the party’s edge would be boosted to strengthen their hold on the seats.”)
Gov. Gavin Newsom says he won’t move ahead with a November ballot measure on redistricting if Texas scraps its own efforts to add five GOP seats in the Lone Star State.
A week ago, according to KPBS, Issa’s office said he didn’t believe the will of California voters who established the Citizens’ Redistricting Commission in 2010 should be overturned.
Issa wrote: “A partisan political gerrymander is not what voters of California want.”
And the rest of the San Diego County delegation (all Democrats)?
- Rep. Sara Jacobs, the 36-year-old granddaughter of Qualcomm founder Irwin Jacobs of the 51st district, was 14th in net worth at $75 million. (Her 2024 financial disclosure, also delayed, is due Aug. 13.)
- Rep. Scott Peters of the 50th district was 23rd with $54.5 million. (His 2024 report.)
- Rep. Juan Vargas of the 52nd district was 97th with $9.7 million. (His 2024 report.)
- And Rep, Mike Levin of the 49th district was 230th with $1.91 million. (His 2024 report.)
Democratic Sens. Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla of California were 231st and 395th, respectively, with $1.89 million and $288,000 in estimated net worth. (Schiff didn’t have to file a 2024 report. Padilla’s annual report was due Aug. 13. His 2023 report is here.)
In a footnote, QuiverQuant says: “This estimate does not include the value of the individual’s primary residence, or any outstanding liabilities.”
