An revealing story in today's San Diego Union Tribune:
Rep. Duncan Hunter's deep political and defense contracting ties formed over more than a quarter-century in Congress are paying off for his son at a critical moment.
More after the fold...
The east-San Diego congressman and ex-presidential candidate has decided not to seek re-election for another term, and the leading Republican candidate to take his place is his son, Duncan D. Hunter. The cloud of corruption hanging over Republicans doesn't seem to be a problem, as the majority of Duncan Jr.'s contributions have been coming from corporations that his father helped steer government funding to over the past 8 years:
Rep. Hunter added language to the 2008 Defense Appropriations bill awarding $19 million to L-3 Communications, which has an office in San Diego, for the development and testing of a missile system, according to data compiled by Taxpayers for Common Sense. Executives from that company contributed $2,750 to Duncan D. Hunter's campaign.
Rep. Hunter also earmarked San Diego-based Trex Enterprises Corp. $1.5 million for the development of a device that will help helicopter pilots navigate with limited visibility. Campaign finance records show Trex employees, including a scientist, donated $4,800 to Duncan D. Hunter's campaign.
And it's not just corporations, it's also lobbyists:
Lobbyists working for the companies have also supported Hunter's campaign. Patrick McSwain and Frank Collins, who were listed as principals at the lobbying firm Northpoint Strategies, collectively donated $2,500. Northpoint worked on behalf of L-3. McSwain and Collins were both former Cunningham chiefs of staff.
Also contributing $1,000 to the Duncan D. Hunter campaign was Van Hipp, who was listed as chief executive officer at American Defense International, which records show lobbied on behalf of both Trex and L-3.
What is it with San Diego politicians and corruption? Remember good ol' Randy "Duke" Cunningham? In this year of change, do they really think they can pull a fast one on us? Same policies. Same contributors. Same earmarks. Same freakin' name!
And lastly, do we have a chance here?
The district is such a Republican stronghold that Rep. Hunter has never been seriously challenged for re-election during his 28-year congressional career.
Duncan Jr. has amassed $640,547 to date from these corrupt sources. In comparison, Democrats running for the 52'nd have brought in much less:
We have an uphill battle in this in this 44% R / 31% D district, but we can't let the Hunter dynasty of corruption continue. Please research the above candidates and contribute as you see fit. Thanks!