Republican Darrell Issa on Wednesday is claiming victory in the 50th Congressional District, which covers much of San Diego's east county and goes into part of Riverside.
"At this point, I consider that the race is over," Issa said during a news conference outside his Vista campaign office. "It is statistically impossible for the outcome to be different."
The race has not yet been called by the Associated Press, though Issa is confident he will return to the U.S. House of Representatives.
"I don't expect to go back and immediately be a ranking member — of course I would also like to be a chairman two years from now — so that would also be a good goal," Issa said.
Chairmanship for Issa would require Republicans to regain control of the House.
Issa previously spent 18 years in Congress before choosing not to run again in the 49th Congressional District, which is now represented by a Democrat. Issa said despite a tough race, he has no plans to move away from conservative values in San Diego's most conservative congressional district.
"Be pro-Second Amendment, pro-First-Amendment, pro-life and pro the values of this district," he said.
On election night early returns showed Democrat Campa-Najjar with a slim lead. But by early Wednesday morning, that lead shifted to Issa and has been growing steadily since then.
The former Congressman said he is looking forward to working with the San Diego County delegation to address the region’s needs.
"The continued problem at the Mexico border with sewage, our congestion that needs more highway funds and a number of issues that are more nuanced like high tech immigration reform," Issa said.
Campa-Najjar has not conceded the race. He issued a statement Wednesday asking for patience.
"We’re still looking at the returns with a measure of hope and urge every last vote be counted," the emailed statement read. "The fact that it took the former wealthiest member of congress to try and buy this seat proves how formidable our people-powered campaign is."
Assuming he'll win this election, Issa said he plans to run again in the 50th.
"I would expect as soon as this race is certified by the secretary of state, I will file my papers for the next election," he said.
Issa said another one of his top priorities is getting the economy booming again, but he does not want to see more stimulus money that he said keeps people at home instead of working.
