Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images Republicans are heading into the midterms with an increasingly steep hill to climb—and a growing wave of retirements isn’t helping. Ahead of the midterms, 39 Republicans in Congress have said they are not seeking re-election. The latest departure comes from California Rep. Darrell Issa, who revealed Friday that he will not run again after more than two decades on Capitol Hill. Issa, 72, has represented California districts since 2001 and said serving in Congress had been “the honor of my life,” but that it was time for “a new chapter and new challenges.” Republicans were dealt another blow the same day when California Rep. Kevin Kiley, 41, announced he would abandon the GOP label and run as an independent, arguing he answers to voters rather than “party leaders.” The exits come after California’s redistricting changes following the passage of Proposition 50, which could open the door for Democrats to compete more aggressively in several districts. The mounting GOP departures only add to the party’s recent election setbacks. Republicans already suffered losses in key contests this year, including special election defeats in Pennsylvania on Feb. 24. Party insiders also report that Trump’s unpopular and chaotic war in Iran will further doom the GOP’s midterm chances. && Read it at The Hill Read more at The Daily Beast.