The Hunter name has been a strong political brand in East County for nearly four decades, and there was little reason to believe that wouldn’t continue for years to come.

Until now.

The yearlong federal investigation into the personal use of campaign funds by Rep. Hunter and his family not only grinds on but reportedly deepens.

As it does, his political prospects become increasingly precarious.


And thanks to an article by Politico published Thursday, the congressman’s personal behavior also has come into question. Sources, including former staffers and fellow Republican lawmakers, raised concerns about his drinking and relationships with women, including a young member of his staff.

The story also adds new details about the investigation, saying more subpoenas have been issued — to the congressman’s parents, among others. Politico also mentions the previously reported financial problems facing Hunter, who has sold his house and moved his family into his parents’ home.

Regarding the investigation, Hunter has consistently denied any wrongdoing other than saying mistakes were made and that he has repaid misspent funds. He adamantly insists he is running for re-election, but clearly some are pressuring him not to file by the March 9 candidate filing deadline.

Duncan D. Hunter was elected to the 50th District in 2008 in what essentially was a handoff from his father, Duncan L. Hunter, who had held the seat since his election in 1980. As with his father, the younger Hunter, it seemed, could keep the office as long as he wanted. Both military veterans with deep roots in East County, the Hunters have been extremely popular in the region. Winning re-election was rarely in question.


They have received the benefit of the doubt from voters when trouble arises.

The elder Hunter weathered his own political crisis when he got caught up in a congressional check-kiting scandal in 1992. Members were writing checks when they had insufficient funds but were covered by the House bank.

In his down-home manner that had endeared him to constituents over the years, then-Rep. Hunter would set up a card table outside markets and lay out his checks to show anyone who would happen by why things weren’t as they seemed.

“I’m going to be straightforward and make it clear that none of those checks bounced, that everybody got paid,” he said before embarking on his explanation tour. “Then I’ll address the appearance of impropriety. If they have less respect for me, I’m sorry for that. But I’m not going to go into a self-preservation mode.”


That controversy now seems quaint compared with the trouble his son is in.

The growing scandal and political vulnerability of the current Rep. Hunter has escalated from a concern to a crisis for Republicans.

If Hunter files to run, and his troubles grow and he is forced to step down, that could leave a solidly Republican district to Democrats for the asking.

If in the coming weeks he reverses his decision on running for re-election, that allows a big-name Republican to get in and possibly save the 50th district for the GOP.


Earlier, there were reports that Republican leaders had privately urged Hunter not to run for re-election, with the promise of helping him out with his mounting legal bills. But Hunter refused.

Now it seems they’re applying public pressure. Members of Congress don’t confirm that kind of tawdry stuff about a member of their own party to Politico for no reason.

How much Hunter’s personal behavior matters is anybody’s guess. Rumors of his cavorting have circulated in San Diego political circles for some time, so it may not come as much of a surprise to many.

But the investigation by the FBI and a federal grand jury certainly matters and will determine what happens to Hunter, legally and politically.


Here’s what the GOP is concerned about: If Hunter files and then implodes, two politically unknown Republicans — translational services executive Shamus Sayed and Deputy Sheriff Andrew Zelt — stand in the way of Democrats gaining a district they would never have a chance of winning under normal circumstances. Zelt has raised little money but Sayed could be competitive, having loaned his campaign $100,000.

(UPDATE: The above paragraph was updated after the initial post to include Sayed.)

Two Democrats — former Labor Department spokesman Ammar Campa-Najjar and former Navy SEAL Josh Butner — both outraised Hunter in the last reporting period.

Depending on when a vacancy occurs, a special election could be called to fill the remainder of Hunter’s term. But no candidate in that election could run in the regular election if they miss the filing deadline.


The political irony here is, since the 2016 election the Republicans’ big concern was holding on to the 49th district in North County because once-strong incumbent Darrell Issa was on the ropes. Issa’s recent decision not to run for re-election in the district suddenly improved the GOP’s prospects, allowing other well-known Republicans without his baggage to run.

A year ago, nobody would have dreamed the Democrats could have a shot at Hunter’s red-as-they-come district.

The further irony, of course, is Issa’s possible interest in running in East County if Hunter does not. That could result in the ultimate nightmare for local Democrats: They don’t win the 49th that seemed in their grasp and Issa remains in Congress.

All of this is significant in the national picture as the GOP struggles to hold on to control of the House.


That’s a lot of moving parts and we’ll have to see how things play out by March 9, a deadline that is extended to March 15 if an incumbent does not file for re-election.

Beyond these political machinations is the role of Margaret Hunter, the congressman’s wife. She oversaw his campaign and its books — as she did his father’s — and Politico says she’s at the center of the investigation. In the past, the Hunter camp suggested this was a simple case of her mixing up credit cards.

Some suggest Hunter is now trying to throw his wife under the bus.

“She knows the FEC rules ... as much as anybody who does that stuff,” Hunter told Politico.


Whatever the future holds, there’s clearly big trouble in the house of Hunter.