"I was given a new opportunity to fight for the most important issues that I believe in," he said in the email. I am writing to let you know that I will be leaving the House of Representatives at the end of 2021.
In choosing not to remain in Congress, Nunes is achieving on his own terms what California Democrats could not in multiple well-funded attempts to oust him. The Democrats have made the Republican representing California's agriculture-dominated Central Valley a primary campaign target because of his loyalty to Trump.
In the past, Democrats seeking to oust Nunes have raised millions of dollars from out of state, underscoring the broader fervor for their cause. The lawmaker turned back those attempts.
It is a testament to the strength of his district and the popularity of his opponent that he is still in the race. He had a war chest of over $12 million at the end of September.
New legislative districts could make the situation worse. A draft map released by the commission would make the district more challenging for Democrats. The final maps are due in January. California law does not require House members to live in their districts, so some political strategists thought that Nunes would shift to a friendlier seat.
