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Hunter's son headed back to Iraq
By: MARK WALKER - Staff Writer | ∞
NORTH COUNTY ---- When Marine Corps Capt. Duncan Duane Hunter reports for duty in Iraq sometime next month, he probably will be the only announced congressional candidate serving in harm's way.
Hunter, the son of U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, was one of about 250 Californians in the Marine Corps' Individual Ready Reserve program who recently got letters informing them they were being reactivated.
"It's better to have them shooting at me there than shooting at people here," Hunter said Monday.
Hunter, 30, announced a couple of weeks ago that he is running for the 52nd Congressional District seat his father has held since 1981. The younger Hunter has already established a campaign committee with the Federal Election Commission.
When his father announced he would seek the 2008 GOP presidential nomination, the elder Hunter said this would be his final term representing the heavily Republican congressional district that includes Poway and Ramona.
For the younger Hunter, whose home base is Camp Pendleton, it will be his third assignment in Iraq. His first came in mid-2003 shortly after the U.S. invasion, and he spent seven months in Iraq in 2004, during which time he saw action in the fight for the city of Fallujah, one of the major battles of the war.
He is one of 1,800 reservists called up, with about 1,200 expected to be sent to Iraq early next year. In his case, Hunter said he asked and the Marine Corps has granted his request to expedite his deployment.
"The Marine Corps certainly has needs to be filled now, and I would rather go now and get it done sooner than later," he said.
Like his father, the ranking Republican and former chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Hunter supports Bush administration policies on Iraq.
"I think what we are doing in Iraq is the right thing," he said during a telephone interview. "We are doing what our military has trained us to do, and in fighting over there we present hardened military targets to the enemy. It beats IEDs going off over here."
In recent months, the father of three children ranging in age from 7 months to 6 years old has been serving as an advance man and driver for his father's presidential effort. On Monday, he was with his dad in San Diego reviewing television advertisements before the elder Hunter headed off to Alabama for campaign appearances.
The elder Hunter, who in stump appearances hasn't been shy about mentioning his son's past service in Iraq, said he worries like any other parent would.
"He's been a great asset on the campaign, but when his country called on him, he was ready to saddle up and go," his father said. "He's already served his country for four years and now he will serve a little more.
"As a parent, you're always concerned about your family and in this my case my son who is headed back into battle. He's a good man and I'm proud of him, and I know he will do a good job."
Duncan Duane Hunter said he decided to run for Congress because he holds many of the same beliefs as his dad and wants to continue that kind of representation. While several Iraq war veterans are now serving in Congress, most are Democrats who oppose the continued U.S. presence.
"I represent conservative values and can communicate that what we are doing in the war on terror is the right thing," he said. "I also think I can communicate that message more effectively than the administration has been doing."
His job in Iraq will prevent Hunter from doing much campaigning during his deployment. That work will be assumed by his wife, Margaret, he said.
Hunter's built-in name recognition and the connections of his father make him the odds-on favorite in a congressional district with about 151,000 registered Republicans compared with about 100,000 registered Democrats. The 2008 primary for congressional seats takes place in June.
While the registration numbers alone make the district a longshot for Democrats, Jess Durfee, chairman of the San Diego County Democratic Party, said it's far too early to assume the younger Hunter will replace his father.
"We are quite confident we will have a good candidate, and I don't think the voters of the 52nd District think it is to be treated like some kind of monarchy with representation passed down from one generation of a family to the next."
Durfee also said that many Democrats won seats they were never expected to take last November, a trend that he said could continue through the 2008 election cycle.
Contact staff writer Mark Walker at (760) 740-3529 or mlwalker@nctimes.com.
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Stealth Blogger wrote on Apr 10, 2007 4:20 AM:Congressional seats are now inherited, like those of the House of Lords in England! So much for our American experiment in democracy!!
Ron wrote on Apr 10, 2007 4:51 AM:And what were you saying...? Only the poor serve in the military? God Bless you Capt. Hunter! Be well, and God speed.
Kristie wrote on Apr 10, 2007 6:13 AM:I'm not sure what the right thing is to do about Iraq and the war on terror but I do know that Congressman Hunter is willing to secure the borders and enforce immigration laws and fight the war on illegal immigration and this invasion of our country.
Dickey wrote on Apr 10, 2007 7:11 AM:A sincere thank you for Duncan D. Hunter for your service to our country. And for the sacrifice your entire family has made over the years for you to serve our country - to "fight" for our freedom. I don't want to imagine what our country would look like without dedicated heroes like you! Thank you! Thank you!!! My vote is yours!
TOVR wrote on Apr 10, 2007 7:34 AM:This is a top story? Why aren't the names of all our other soldiers leaving for Iraq on the front page?
To TOVR wrote on Apr 10, 2007 7:43 AM:The reason why this is a top story is because Liberals are always screaming about why the children of politicians aren't deploying. Well, here it is. Joining the military is a personal choice. I am extremely grateful that Captain Hunter is taking his turn. Thank you for your service, Sir.
Ask wrote on Apr 10, 2007 8:09 AM:At least he is willing to serve in the military! How many in Congress can say they have served?
Alf wrote on Apr 10, 2007 8:42 AM:I stand corrected and salute you, Capt. Duncan Duane Hunter U.S.M.C., for doing your duty. As I have stated, this is a war run by a mad-man that should not have been and should not continue. Unashamedly, Alf.
Don P wrote on Apr 10, 2007 9:01 AM:As always, the Hunter family serves its country before anything else. Not many run for office for all of the right reasons - Duncan and his son are among the few who have done so.
mark wrote on Apr 10, 2007 9:09 AM:its nice to finally see an elected leader I would want my children to look up to and call a "hero".
Sculpin wrote on Apr 10, 2007 9:17 AM:I don't agree with much of Hunter Sr's political views, but I sure admire the man for walking the walk and talking the talk. If he were in Bush's seat 4 years ago, I don't know if he would have taken us to war, but if he had, I would have respected his decision more than the decisions made by the current military evading neoclowns. As far as inherited seats, don't we still get to vote?
To Stealth Blogger wrote on Apr 10, 2007 9:31 AM:Hello, my name's Joe. What's yours? Sit down and be quiet. Aren't you salivating to have Queen Hillary crowned? What about the "Kennedy Dynasty"? Didn't Camelot have a King? What military branch did you serve in? And I believe our military protects our rights to have an election!
John E wrote on Apr 10, 2007 10:23 AM:Although as a centrist "Schwarzenegger Republican" or "[Teddy] Roosevelt Republican" I simply cannot support Duncan Hunter's bid for the Presidency, I do respect his son and wish him well.
Mike wrote on Apr 10, 2007 10:24 AM:Duncan D., good luck to you over there. Your father should be very proud of you. You and your father are great Americans. I like stories like this one because these are people giving back and protecting their country not taking from this country.
Veteran wrote on Apr 10, 2007 10:29 AM:I salute you sir. I respect you and the efforts of your father to actually protect this once great country. Say hi to my grandson when you get to Anbahr province.
Get out wrote on Apr 10, 2007 10:36 AM:You are either part of the problem or part of the solution. He is part of the problem --part of the Bush Dept. of Offence! But they both HOPE it will help their power hungry careers. ...
Not poor, just unlucky wrote on Apr 10, 2007 10:52 AM:He's been volunteered to go and has no choice. Liberals are screaming that it's still senseless to risk the life of this (or any) soldier in this pointless war.
Mike in Spring Valley wrote on Apr 10, 2007 12:51 PM:Capt. Hunter may be the only Republican son or daughter serving in Iraq. He will then be further distinguished by being the only Service member to have his father probed for corruption in his oversight tto the war in Iraq for the last 4 years. If republicans don't distance themselves from Bush's blunder then they will become even more irrelevant then tey were in the last election.
Pinky wrote on Apr 10, 2007 1:13 PM:While I don't support the Bush Warmonger I give credit to anyone who stands up for what they believe in. Stay safe, Captain Hunter.
Not impressed- wrote on Apr 10, 2007 5:52 PM:He was only one of the 250 who are being called. Who were the other 249? He will make political brownie points and use his sevice for political gain when he returns. I can see this already by the some of the comments-" " salute you", " you have my vote", ect! The class system is alive and well. Thousands and thousands of professional career Soldiers have been there done that, served this Nation!
Hunter Did Not Volunteer wrote on Apr 10, 2007 8:26 PM:He was called up fromthe reserves. If he would have volunteered for the surge it would be different. He is obviously been drinking the Bush koolaid, "fighting here rather than there" what the hell???? if we had not invaded Iraq the majority of the country would still be our friends!! now most of them hated us. Yes, we created more terrorists than we killed. Thanks Bush and Hunter, thanks a lot.
speakup wrote on Apr 10, 2007 8:44 PM:Unless the Congressman's son serves as a rifle platoon commander or some other "up-close-and-personal" billet, it's not all that much to chat about ... me thinks. Oh and somebody please list the names of all Congressmen and Congress women who have sons or daughters serving in Iraq. Shouldn't take too much of your time to do so. Good luck jarhead!
Publicity stunt wrote on Apr 10, 2007 10:18 PM:I'm sure that Daddy will pull strings so that junior will witness just enough to make for good campaign speach material.
Old Abe wrote on Apr 14, 2007 1:56 AM:Good luck running for Congress while serving as an active-duty commissioned officer. It is illegal and his name cannot appear on the ballot.
Mike wrote on Jan 26, 2008 11:50 AM:
In years to come, Iraq will be seen much like Vietnam. Look at all the money the military industrial complex has made over the past 5 years, (2003 to 2008). It's crazy.
And those poor boys coming back to the US having served their country, without it's full support. Imaging you are bound to a whellchair for life, or missing and arm or leg. In 20 to 30 years from now, who knows how we'll look at this misadventure.
But one things for sure, those men who are missing a body part or can't walk will certainly be pissed off. And rightly so.
How many Generals have died in this war? How many children of Generals? Or Congressman? How many children of the corporations that profited the most have died in the war?
The answer.............. NONE!!!!!
You lead by example.
The greatest military leaders never let their men go into battle before they did temselves. That is why the US will loose this war.
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