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A retired Navy secretary has endorsed Ammar Campa-Najjar as the next congressman from the 50th District, citing incumbent Rep. Duncan Hunter’s attacks on his challenger as a primary concern.
Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton, who served under former President Bill Clinton, announced his support for Campa-Najjar on Friday. He said the Democratic challenger is better suited for the job than the Republican incumbent, a Marine veteran.
“As a former naval officer and Secretary of the Navy, I know first-hand that America is at its best when we treat one another with dignity and respect, regardless of our differences,” Dalton wrote in his endorsement message, which was widely shared by the Campa-Najjar campaign. “I find it regrettable that his opponent has engaged in attacks against Ammar Campa-Najjar based on his race and heritage.”
Hunter campaign spokesman Michael Harrison belittled the political nod in an email Friday.
“The congressman believes the endorsement from one of the leading Navy officials who was complicit in the deterioration of our Navy during the Clinton Administration is yet another example that our opponent clearly lacks the qualifications and judgment to understand what is necessary for America’s national security,” he said.
“It should come as no surprise that Ammar Najjar, with no personal or direct military experience and as someone who equates his growing up in Gaza as a means of understanding the sacrifice of combat veterans, would seek legitimacy through the approval of political appointees,” he added.
Hunter, a Republican from Alpine seeking his sixth term in Congress, was indicted in August with his wife, Margaret, on 60 criminal counts of misusing more than $250,000 in campaign funds and filing false records to try and cover up the crimes.
Both the congressman and his wife pleaded not guilty to all charges and are awaiting trial in U.S. District Court in San Diego.
Hunter has been accused of conducting a misleading campaign against Campa-Najjar, emphasizing his Palestinian roots and calling him a national security threat based on his heritage. The Democratic candidate, who lives in Jamul, is a Christian who received FBI clearance to serve in the administration of former President Barack Obama.
Dalton, who served as Navy secretary from 1993 to 1998, said Campa-Najjar’s personal story would be an asset to the nation’s legislative body.
“Attacks against one’s heritage are not tolerated in the United States military, and they have no place in Congress or American politics,” he said. “I believe that Ammar’s background and his desire to serve others in Congress reflect the very best of the American story.”
A former U.S. marine and reservist, Hunter was first elected to Congress in 2008. He succeeded his father, also named Duncan Hunter, who previously served 14 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The 50th District stretches from east San Diego County to the Imperial County line and north into Riverside County. It has been a safe Republican district for decades but polls show the race between Hunter and Campa-Najjar is close.
[email protected] (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald
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