Indicted California Rep. Hunter Fails to Win Local GOP Endorsement

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Former Rep. Duncan Hunter

U.S. Representative Duncan Hunter of California failed to obtain the endorsement of his local Republican Party ahead of the 2020 primary elections.

Rep. Hunter is facing a federal indictment for allegedly misspending campaign funds for personal expenses and falsifying campaign records submitted to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC). He pleaded not guilty and called the accusations against him as politically motivated. The trial on his case is set to begin in January.

Federal prosecutors also charged his wife, Margaret Hunter for misusing campaign funds for personal expenses. Mrs. Hunter served as chairwoman of her husband’s campaign. She already pleaded guilty to one count of corruption and agreed to testify against the lawmaker.

The six-term lawmaker, whose campaign is already vulnerable due to the allegations against him, is also confronting strong competition from other Republican candidates including former Rep. Darrel Issa, conservative talk show host Carl DeMaio and State Sen. Brian Jones.