Duncan Hunter's Son To Run For Dad's Vacated Seat -- From Iraq

It's about time some more veterans started running on our side. Democrats took the House partly because of Iraq veteran candidates.

For most congressional candidates, Iraq is an issue. For one, it's a destination. But not one that will derail his candidacy, he says.

Marine Capt. Duncan Duane Hunter wants to claim the seat now held by his father, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon)...

The 30-year-old Hunter, a reservist and also a Republican, signaled his intentions several weeks ago and began the early work to mount a campaign. But now he has been recalled to active duty, most likely to deploy to Iraq in the next few weeks for his third tour of duty there.

Military regulations ban politicking by active-duty personnel. Still, Hunter said Tuesday that he had no intention of scuttling his nascent campaign and instead would recruit his wife and brother to act as stand-ins while he's gone.

"It's going to be a kind of surrogate campaign while I'm over there," he said.

A graduate of San Diego State, Hunter enlisted in the Marine Corps shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He served in Iraq in 2003 and during the assault on Fallouja in early 2004; he left active duty in September.

...

If he serves the standard seven-month deployment, Hunter should return in time to officially file as a candidate.

The 52nd Congressional District includes suburbs east of San Diego and much of the Anza-Borrego Desert. Republicans hold a 46% to 30% edge over Democrats in voter registration there. In his last election, Hunter's father received 66% of the vote.

He's got the name (Duncan D. Hunter), he's got the bio, he's got the partisan edge.

Pretty much only one thing can keep him from winning, and you can count on the HuffPo's rooting for that possibility with all the blackness of their little hearts.

The Law Against Politicking While In Service: ...may stand as far as the behavior (active campaigning), but it won't stop him from running.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Constitution means it when it states the qualifications for federal office -- it means those qualifications and none others. No law can impose new qualifications, such as not being part of the active military while running.

He may have to request a temporary leave to do a few weeks of campaigning, which, hopefully, which will be all he needs.

posted by Ace at 10:52 PM

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