Even under indictment, California congressman is favorite
ALPINE — The indictment of U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter and his wife that alleges they illegally converted his campaign account into a household checkbook reorders his re-election contest, giving Democrats a suddenly stronger hand in a district that for decades has embraced Republican candidates.
But even with charges shadowing him, it will be an upset if Hunter loses.
Two months ago Hunter coasted through the June primary despite the ongoing FBI investigation that produced the 60-count indictment. His 30-point, firstplace finish made him a strong favorite to win a sixth term in November.
The 50th Congressional District east of San Diego is the most Republican in Southern California. The party holds a nearly 15-point registration edge over Democrats, and President Donald Trump won the district by the same margin while losing statewide by more than 4 million votes in 2016.
The Hunter name is something of a political dynasty in the area — his father was elected to the seat in 1980 and held it until his son won in 2008. Hunter's Democratic opponent, Ammar Campanajjar, 29, has never held elective office. He won just over 17 percent of the votes in June but that was good enough for second place in the state's primary where the top-two vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party.
A day after Hunter and his wife were charged with looting his campaign funds to finance family vacations, boozy restaurant binges and shopping sprees, voters in Hunter's rural hometown of Alpine were sharply divided on what it all means. Some are shocked, some outraged, and some are rising to defend Hunter and his claim of being pursued by politically motivated prosecutors eager to see one of Trump's early supporters in Congress fall.
Sandy Hintz, 75, said she has supported Hunter in the past but needs more information before making up her mind about him in November.
"I was really shocked, wow. How could that happen?" she asked. "He had seemed like a good guy."
Chris Wilmot, 47, a Republican and longtime Hunter supporter, said he was rethinking the race. To Wilmot, Hunter "has talked like a politician," and the certified public accountant has been put off by "the way he dresses, and his ego."