Hunter takes GOP primary

Marine Corps reservist will face
retired SEAL

By Michele Clock
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

Duncan D. Hunter defeated a field of Republicans by a landslide yesterday in the primary election to replace his father, Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, in a sprawling East County congressional district.

The competition for the only open congressional seat in the county has led to a showdown this fall between two candidates leaning on their military credentials. Hunter, a Marine Corps Reserve captain, will face Mike Lumpkin, a retired Navy SEAL who defeated Vickie Butcher in the Democratic primary.

During the campaign, Hunter emphasized national security and border issues. Last night, he attributed his victory to his conservative ideals that “resonated with the people of East County.”

Lumpkin interpreted his showing as a sign that he focused on the issues 52nd Congressional District voters care most about, such as the economy and border security.

“It is a clear signal that the voters are saying it's time to end the divisive partisan politics and to start talking about the real issues that affect Americans every day,” Lumpkin said.

Libertarian Michael Benoit, who ran unopposed, will also be on the November ballot.

Hunter, 31, held a considerable lead in both fundraising and polls in the heavily Republican district, but his GOP rivals pushed hard until the end, mailing stacks of campaign literature, recording automated calls and waving street signs during morning rush hours. His father, who made an ill-fated bid for the Republican presidential nomination, is retiring from Congress.

Brian Jones, 39, a Santee city councilman and a former minister, sought to attract GOP voters largely with mailers that kept with his social conservative themes. One that attracted attention featured a photo of Jones and his 13-year-old son holding a rifle, with a caption explaining that the candidate was giving his son gun-safety lessons. Jones had pledged to “vigorously support gun rights and fight liberal judges, special interest groups and politicians who want to take away our liberties.”
Last-minute efforts, including an infusion of outside cash, helped Bob Watkins, 65, a businessman and president of the San Diego County Board of Education.

Watkins' bid benefited from at least $223,000 worth of advertising – TV ads, radio ads, mailers – from an independent campaign waged by William R. Bradley, according to campaign finance records. Watkins' campaign said they did not know Bradley, nor did they have anything to do with the ads. However, Bradley had contributed to the Watkins campaign last year.

On the Democratic side, Butcher, 66, a nonprofit executive, emphasized her opposition to the war in Iraq and support for universal health care in radio ads, while Lumpkin, 43, played up his 21 years of service in the Navy while vowing to fight deficit spending and secure the borders. Lumpkin collected endorsements from many of the local Democratic clubs and far outspent Butcher.

Michele Clock: (619) 593-4964; michele.clock@uniontrib.com