District 49 — U.S. House of Representatives

Darrell Issa is a senior member of the House Judiciary and Foreign Affairs Committees. Highlighted as one of the ten most effective members of Congress, Darrell Issa represents the people of California's 49th Congressional District. Issa is an Army veteran, father and successful entrepreneur. A tech industry leader, he is the founder of Directed Electronics, a company he built from humble origins into the the nation’s largest manufacturer of vehicle anti-theft devices, including the highly-successful Viper system. 

The grandson of immigrants, Issa enlisted in the United States Army as a senior in high school. Through his Army service, he received an ROTC scholarship and graduated with a degree in business from Sienna Heights University in Adrian, Michigan. Upon graduation, Issa was commissioned as an Army officer, and ultimately obtained the rank of captain. He completed his active-duty military service in 1980 and turned his interests to the private sector.

His recent legislative initiatives focus on promoting innovation, creating jobs, protecting consumers, enhancing government transparency, and closing loopholes used to ship jobs overseas. His successful efforts to fight human trafficking in San Diego County led to tougher laws, stiffer penalties, and more consistent enforcement by federal prosecutors. Other congressional oversight efforts led by Issa during both Republican and Democrat administrations resulted in significant reforms to stop waste and abuse at agencies including the Minerals Management Service, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and the Internal Revenue Service. As a principled leader, he voted against the 2008 bailout of Wall Street banks during the Bush Administration and supports efforts to balance the federal budget by curbing government spending.

His other legislative accomlishments include strengthening the Violence Against Women Act, passing the Sexual Assault Survivors' Bill of Rights, opening government though significant reforms to the Freedom of Information Act, advancing Sober Homes Reform, and working to hold our government leaders accountable.

Congressman Issa's approach is always rooted in finding fresh solutions and unique approaches to the nation's toughest problems. A national leader with extensive bipartisan accomplishments, Congressman Issa has worked with members of Congress from both parties to pass legislation that is making government more accountable, reducing taxes, creating jobs, protecting veterans, and ensuring America remains safe and secure. As your representative, Congressman Issa will work to:

• Fix our broken immigration system
• Advance opportunites and jobs in our 21st century economy
• Uphold our nation's promise to our veterans
• Defeat ISIS
• Promote startups, small business and innovation
• Move the nuclear waste from San Onofre
• Reform our criminal justice system
• Hold government leaders -- of both parties -- accountable

As a Marine Colonel serving around the world and a civilian trial attorney for nearly four decades, I have a proven record. While attending Arizona State University and after joining the Marine PLC months before Saigon fell, I chose to first become an infantry officer and later a Judge Advocate.

My business career and military duties span advising Marine commanders, defending & prosecuting war crimes, complex civil & criminal trials and a combat tour in Ramadi, Baghdad & Fallujah, retiring after 32 years active and reserve in 2006. I have lived and worked in the California 49^th Congressional District since stationed at Camp Pendleton in 1981, with my family raising our three children, a son in college, a daughter a junior at San Clemente High School and an eight month baby girl. I currently work and own the Law Offices of Douglas L. Applegate, located at 5160 Birch Street, Suite 200 Newport Beach, CA 92660 and 380 S Melrose Dr. Suite 207 Vista, CA 92081.

I chose to volunteer to serve my country, the greatest on earth. We need new, positive leadership committed to integrity, accountability and transparency in a Congress that is willing to take big-money’s influence out of our Government. I will fight to bring back American jobs that provide living wages & equal pay for equal work. I have the experience to ask the right questions to get us the Strongest National Defense, the best Veterans Administration, and to stop endless wars. I will demand comprehensive immigration reform that makes American employers part of the solution.

For me, true patriotism is not only about pledging allegiance. It is about serving our country however you can. Our duty is to keep America strong and working for all Americans. Too many people today know that simply playing by the rules and working hard is no longer enough to give the next generation the same chance to get ahead.  I will fight to give all Americans who work hard an opportunity to succeed. With three children, one in college, I know our future depends on good-paying jobs, affordable college, and fighting for the middle class. By cutting through the politics and focusing on finding common sense solutions, I will connect with voters across party lines in a district that includes Camp Pendleton, and nearly 80,000 veteran households. I ask for and would be honored to have your vote. We need to make government work for all Americans.

I WILL BE A CONGRESSMAN WHO WILL REPRESENT EVERYONE IN THE 49TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.