Bob Watkins

Duncan D. Hunter has been declared the victor in the Republican primary for the seat of retiring U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter.

With almost 13 percent of precincts reporting, Hunter leads with 73.9 percent of the vote. Santee City Councilman Brian Jones and businessman Brian Watkins trail with 14.2 percent and 8.3 percent, respectively.

Hunter, a businessman and Iraq veteran, is expected to face off against Democrat Mike Lumpkin in November’s general election. Early returns show Lumpkin, a former Navy Seal leading primary rival Vickie Butcher by a commanding 58.8 percent to 41.2 percent margin.

The District 52 seat spans the San Diego area.

Republican congressional candidate Duncan D. HunterWith less than three weeks before the June 3 primary, a new poll in the race for the San Diego-area seat of retiring U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter shows Duncan D. Hunter far ahead of his Republican primary opponents.

The poll, conducted May 8 to May 10 by the Democratic polling firm Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates, shows Hunter, a businessman and Army veteran and the son the retiring Congressman, picking up 79 percent. His nearest competitor, Brian Jones, a minister and Santee City Councilman, receives 6 percent. Bob Watkins, a businessman and President of the San Diego County Board of Education, receives 2 percent. Rick Powell, an Army veteran, also receives 2 percent.

Republican congressional candidate Duncan D. HunterRival Republican U.S. House candidates Duncan D. Hunter and Bob Watkins are announcing competing endorsements in the race to succeed retiring District 52 U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter.

Hunter, a businessman and Iraq war veteran, won the backing of the California Republican Assembly, an independent organization that promotes conservative policies within the Republican Party.

Republican Duncan D. Hunter, running to replace retiring Rep. Duncan Hunter Sr., has won the endorsement of the National Right to Life Political Action Committee, his campaign announced late Thursday.

"The countless Americans who respect the sanctity of innocent human life appreciate your willingness to serve.  This willingness to take up the fight for life in the U.S. Congress makes us proud to endorse you," wrote David O’Steen, the PAC’s executive director, in a letter to Hunter.

Hunter, a businessman and Iraq war veteran, is promoting the National Right to Life endorsement in a San Diego-area district that, especially in its inland areas, is home to many religious and culturally conservative voters.

Republican primary rival Duncan D. Hunter had a superior first quarter fundraising period than Bob Watkins, but the Watkins campaign is not discouraged, a spokesperson said today.

“The showing Hunter had was fairly strong, but we think the campaign is a marathon, not a sprint,” said Jennifer Kearns, who added that the campaign will be won in the remaining six weeks leading up the June 3 Republican primary.

With the June 3 primary nearing, Republican Duncan D. Hunter, running to replace his father in Congressional District 52, is continuing to focus its efforts on the ground, campaign manager Matt Schumsky told PolitickerCA.com today.

On Wednesday, volunteers will be placing 4x8 campaign yard signs throughout the district, which spans the San Diego and Imperial counties. “It’s a Levi’s day,” said Schumsky, noting that he was wearing jeans in the campaign office.

In the race to replace U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter, Republican Duncan D. Hunter is showing a wide fundraising lead over his Republican and Democratic rivals as the campaign heads to the June 3 primary.

In the Republican field, Hunter, an Iraq war veteran who is the son of the retiring Congressman, is reporting almost $279,000 in first quarter funds and has $263,000 on hand. Watkins, the president of the San Diego County Board of Education, has reported raising $79,000 during the quarter and having $44,000 on hand. Jones, a Santee City Councilman, raised about $28,000 and has $78,000 in cash on hand.

On the Democratic side, Mike Lumpkin, a retired Navy officer, is reporting $87,000 raised and $80,000 in cash on hand. Vickie Butcher, a former Chair of the El-Cajon Planning Commission, raised $18,000 and has $12,000 on hand.

Duncan D. Hunter wants to succeed his father in Congress
With Duncan D. Hunter Jr. vying for the Alpine U.S. House seat from which his father, Duncan Hunter Sr., is stepping down, rival Republican candidate Bob Watkins faces a formidable challenge: taking a seat that has long been held by a well-known, conservative family.

It is a reality that shapes the campaign strategy of Watkins, a businessman and president of the San Diego County Board of Education.

“Telling voters you’re not voting for Duncan Hunter Sr., you’re voting for Hunter’s son” is a major plank of the Watkins’ campaign, according to campaign manager Brian Watkins, who is not related to the candidate. “This race is going to be won on the ground.”