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Duncan D. Hunter

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For his father and predecessor, see Duncan Hunter.

Duncan D. Hunter
Duncan D. Hunter, official photo portrait, 111th Congress
Hunter in 2009
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 50th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2013
Preceded by Brian Bilbray
Member of the United States House of Representatives
In office
January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by Duncan L. Hunter
Succeeded by Scott Peters
Personal details
Born Duncan Duane Hunter
December 7, 1976(1976-12-07) (age 47)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Margaret Hunter[1]
Residence Lakeside, California, U.S.
Alma mater San Diego State University
Profession Politician, military officer, businessman
Religion Protestant[1]
Military service
Service/branch Flag of the United States Marine Corps United States Marine Corps
Years of service 2001 – 2007
Rank US-O4 insignia Major[2]
Unit 1 11unitlogo 1st Battalion, 11th Marines
Battles/wars War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
Awards Combat Action Ribbon Combat Action Ribbon
US Navy Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon Presidential Unit Citation
National Defense Service Medal ribbon National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign ribbon Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign ribbon Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon Sea Service Deployment Ribbon

Duncan Duane Hunter (born December 7, 1976) is a member of the United States House of Representatives. He has served in Congress since 2009, previously representing California's 52nd congressional district, where he was preceded in office by his father, Duncan Lee Hunter. As a result of redistricting, Hunter switched to the neighboring 50th district at the start of the 113th Congress in 2013. Hunter is a member of the Republican Study Committee, as his father was.

Hunter is a member of the Republican Party, and his district covers almost all of San Diego County except for the coastal and border areas. Hunter's district includes Fallbrook, San Marcos, Valley Center, Escondido, Santee, Lakeside, and mountain and desert areas stretching to the Imperial County line. Hunter is a reserve United States Marine Corps officer and a veteran of both the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan. He is one of seven members of the U.S. Congress who have served in either Iraq or Afghanistan[3] and was the first combat veteran of either conflict to serve in the Congress.[4]

Early life, education, and business career[]

Hunter was born in San Diego, California,[5] the son of Lynne and Duncan Lee Hunter.[6] He graduated from Granite Hills High School in El Cajon, California. He attended San Diego State University, where he earned a degree in Business Administration. Hunter started a web design company in college to help pay for tuition. Upon graduation from San Diego State, he worked full-time in San Diego as an information technology business analyst.[7]

Military service[]

The day after the September 11 attacks, Hunter quit his job and joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He attended Officer Candidates School at Marine Corps Base Quantico. Upon graduation in March 2002, was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He subsequently served as a field artillery officer in the 1st Marine Division after the 2003 invasion of Iraq and completed a second tour in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004, serving in Battery A, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines. During his second tour, he participated in Operation Vigilant Resolve. In September 2005, Hunter was honorably discharged from active duty but remained in the Marine Corps Reserve. He then started a residential development company. In 2007, he was recalled to active duty and deployed to Afghanistan in support of the War in Afghanistan; this was his third tour of duty during the War on Terrorism. Hunter was honorably discharged from active duty in December 2007, but continues to serve in the Marine Corps Reserve.[8] Hunter was promoted to major in 2012.[2]

Hunter's awards include:[9]

Combat Action Ribbon US Navy Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal ribbon
Bronze star
Afghanistan Campaign ribbon
Bronze star
Bronze star
Iraq Campaign ribbon
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon
Bronze star
Bronze star
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
1st row Combat Action Ribbon Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
2nd row National Defense Service Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/1 service star Iraq Campaign Medal w/2 service stars
3rd row Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 2 service stars

U.S. House of Representatives[]

Elections[]

2008
See also: United States House of Representatives elections in California, 2008#District 52

Hunter ran for his father's seat and won the Republican primary with 72.2% of the vote in a four candidate field.[10][11] In the general election, Hunter defeated Democratic nominee Mike Lumpkin, an Iraq War veteran, 56.4%-39%.[12][13] Hunter thus replaced his father, Congressman Duncan L. Hunter (R-Calif.), who retired from Congress after fourteen terms.[14]

2010
See also: United States House of Representatives elections in California, 2010#District 52

He won re-election to a second term with 63.1% of the vote, defeating Ray Lutz and Michael Benoit.[15]

2012
See also: United States House of Representatives elections in California, 2012#District 50

After redistricting, Hunter decided to run in the newly redrawn California's 50th congressional district.[16] In the five-candidate open primary field, Hunter ranked first with 67.4% of the vote; Democrat David Secor ranked second with 16.8% of the vote, qualifying for the November election.[17] In the general election, Hunter defeated Secor 67.7%-32.3%.[18]

Tenure[]

Like his father, Hunter's voting record has been conservative.[19] In a 2009 interview with KPBS, Hunter expressed support for "overriding" the designation of smelt fish as an endangered species in order to reduce unemployment in California.[20] Hunter also opposed the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, saying that it would "take away" the doctor-patient relationship, the right for people to choose "what type of operations they have," and that it would allow a "government bureaucrat" to make health care decisions for people. In the KPBS interview, Hunter said, "Things that you have problems with now would be exacerbated if you had government run healthcare."[21]

At an April 2010 Tea Party movement rally in Ramona, California, Hunter advocated for the deportation of United States citizens who are the children of illegal immigrants.[22] At the rally, Hunter said, "It's a complex issue and...you could look and say, 'You're a mean guy. That's a mean thing to do. That's not a humanitarian thing to do.' " Hunter added, "We simply cannot afford what we're doing right now. We just can't afford it. California's going under." Hunter confirmed the comments to San Diego County's North County Times, telling the newspaper that he also supported House Resolution 1868, a measure that called for the elimination of birthright citizenship in the United States. Hunter has also expressed support for the controversial 2010 Arizona immigration law, calling it a national security issue and "a fantastic starting point."[23]

In July 2010, Hunter introduced legislation into the 111th Congress to allow tobacco products to be shipped to service members serving in Iraq and Afghanistan;[24] the legislation died after being referred to committee.[25]

Hunter opposed the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and advocated for delaying the repeal after it was ratified by U.S. President Barack Obama. In 2011, Hunter introduced legislation to require that all "four military service chiefs certify that the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell won't negatively affect their combat units."[26]

In 2011, Hunter voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.[27]

Columnist Dan Murtaugh of the Press-Register has suggested that Hunter's 2011 call to rebid the littoral combat ship program is an attempt to get federal funds for a shipyard in his district.[28] Hunter returned to the LCS program in 2012, with a call to reduce LCS builds in favor of amphibious ships because he had read a report that the Marines had leased a ferry with simiular characteristics to the LCS and JHSV.[29] Hunter has called the United States Navy, in 2013, overworked and spread thin, and says that a "306-ship target might represent the absolute minimum capacity the navy needs".[30]

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and a combat veteran, Hunter has called for the system of awarding the Medal of Honor to be evaluated due to the cases of Sergeant Rafael Peralta and Captain William D. Swenson.[31][32][33]

In 2011, Hunter opposed a complete withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan, citing the concern of an "unreliable Afghan leadership" and called upon the Obama Administration to "stop echoing a misshapen worldview that puts American interests last."[34] In October 2012, Hunter returned from his visit to Afghanistan, as part of a congressional delegation, with a more upbeat assessment stating "Frankly I was very skeptical last year when I went last and have been on whether [the Afghans] can do this, but they are."[35]

In 2013, Hunter accused the nation's military leaders of theatrics in the cuts that resulted from the failure of Congress to come to a deal to avert sequestration. He listed targeted spending reductions that he would prefer to make instead of the across the board cuts.[36] Hunter also voiced his concern regarding potential different standards for women and men for the same direct combat positions, following the Obama administration to allow women to serve in those positions.[37]

On July 24, 2013, Hunter voted against the Amash amendment to rein in the domestic surveillance conducted by the NSA.[38]

In October 2013 Hunter was the only Representative from San Diego County to vote against the bill which ended the nation's 16-day partial government shutdown, explaining that he voted against it because it did not reduce spending or the national debt.[39]

On December 4, 2013, Hunter commented that if war with Iran becomes inevitable, which he "sure as hell" hoped wouldn't happen, the American response should be a "massive aerial bombing campaign" including "tactical nuclear devices".[40] He also said that the culture of Middle Easterners made them unreliable negotiating partners.[41]

Committee assignments[]

Personal life[]

Hunter, his wife Margaret, and their three children have lived in Lakeside, California since 2007; he has previously lived in Oklahoma, Virginia and Idaho.[21][42]

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Official Congressional Directory, 2011-2012: 112th Congress, Convened January 2011. Government Printing Office. 2012. p. 44. ISBN 9780160886539. http://books.google.com/books?id=fVSkbYQp6qgC&lpg=PA44&ots=dfqP-ybnFj&dq=Granite%20Hills%20Duncan%20Hunter&pg=PA44#v=onepage&q=Granite%20Hills%20Duncan%20Hunter&f=false. Retrieved 21 May 2013. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Biography". United States House of Representatives. http://hunter.house.gov/biography. Retrieved 28 April 2013. "Still a Marine Reservist, he was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2006, and to the rank of Major in 2012." 
    Jeff Horseman (22 February 2013). "CONGRESS: Temecula part of Hunter’s district". http://www.pe.com/local-news/politics/jeff-horseman-headlines/20130222-congress-temecula-part-of-hunters-district.ece. Retrieved 28 April 2013. "Temecula is home to a number of Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton, and Rep. Hunter is a major in the Marine Corps Reserve who served two tours in Iraq and another in Afghanistan." 
  3. ↑ Hegseth, Pete (4 November 2010). "The New Victory Caucus in Congress". National Review. http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/252476/new-victory-caucus-congress-pete-hegseth. Retrieved 12 February 2011. 
  4. ↑ "Duncan D. Hunter for Congress". Hunterforcongress.com. http://www.hunterforcongress.com/bio/. Retrieved 27 October 2010. 
    "Rep. Duncan D. Hunter". The Arena. Politico LLC. 2012. http://www.politico.com/arena/bio/rep_duncan_d_hunter.html. Retrieved 10 March 2013. 
  5. ↑ "Representative Duncan D. Hunter's Biography". One Common Ground. 2013. http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/104308/duncan-hunter#.UZsfEqIsnng. Retrieved 21 May 2013. 
  6. ↑ Diane Bell (19 February 2013). "District attorney happy to do her bit on jury duty". http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/metro/bell/20040219-9999_1m19bell.html. Retrieved 21 May 2013. 
  7. ↑ Kitto, Kris (4 March 2009). "The 'normal' life of Duncan D. Hunter". TheHill.com. http://thehill.com/capital-living/24151-the-normal-life-of-duncan-d-hunter. Retrieved 27 October 2010. 
  8. ↑ Maze, Rick (24 January 2009). "Former Marine in Congress vows to help troops". Marine Corps Times. http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/01/marine_hunter_012409w/. Retrieved 12 February 2011. 
    Elizabeth Marie Himchak (7 September 2011). "Battle-tested Marines lead Poway Patriotic Parade". http://www.pomeradonews.com/2011/09/07/battle-tested-marines-to-lead-poway-patriotic-parade/. Retrieved 10 March 2013. 
  9. ↑ "MOWW 2012 Distinguished Service Award Recipient". The Military Order of the World Wars. 2012. p. 14. http://www.militaryorder.net/Officer%20Review_July%2012_VOL%2052_1_Web%20Edition%20(3).pdf. Retrieved 17 December 2012. 
  10. ↑ Debra Bowen (3 June 2008). "Statement of Vote". Secretary of State. State of California. http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2008-statewide-direct-primary/complete-sov.pdf. Retrieved 24 January 2013. 
  11. ↑ Primary Election. Registrar of Voters (June 3, 2008).[dead link]
  12. ↑ Debra Bowen (4 November 2008). "Statement of Vote". Secretary of State. State of California. http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2008-general/sov_complete.pdf. Retrieved 24 January 2013. 
  13. ↑ Shane, Leo, III (6 November 2008). "Six recent combat veterans win congressional races". Stars and Stripes. http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=58659. 
  14. ↑ Clock, Michele (4 June 2008). "Hunter takes GOP primary". San Diego Union-Tribune. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20080604-9999-1n4cong.html. 
  15. ↑ Debra Bowen (6 January 2011). "Statement of Vote". California Secretary of State. State of California. http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2012-primary/pdf/2012-complete-sov.pdf. Retrieved 24 January 2013. 
  16. ↑ Walker, Mark (2011-08-16). "REGION: Saldana is against Bilbray as redistricting completed". U-T San Diego. http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/sdcounty/article_b78544d7-463f-5501-8ec6-a7de447b33f8.html. Retrieved 2013-12-06. 
  17. ↑ Debra Bowen (5 June 2012). "Statement of Vote". California Secretary of State. State of California. http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2012-primary/pdf/2012-complete-sov.pdf. Retrieved 24 January 2013. 
  18. ↑ Debra Bowen (6 November 2012). "Statement of Vote". California Secretary of State. State of California. http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2012-general/sov-complete.pdf. Retrieved 24 January 2013. 
  19. ↑ "Representative Duncan D. Hunter's Special Interest Group Ratings". Project Vote Smart. One Common Ground. http://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/104308/duncan-hunter#.UTzdHBy38zw. Retrieved 9 March 2013. 
  20. ↑ Hank Cook; Doug Myrland (11 June 2009). "Rep. Duncan D. Hunter Discusses First Year in Office, Economy, Health Care". http://www.kpbs.org/news/2009/jun/11/rep-duncan-d-hunter-discusses-first-year-office-ec/. Retrieved 10 March 2013. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Crook, Hank; Doug Myrland (11 June 2009). "Rep. Duncan D. Hunter Discusses First Year in Office, Economy, Health Care". KPBS. http://www.kpbs.org/news/2009/jun/11/rep-duncan-d-hunter-discusses-first-year-office-ec/. Retrieved 12 February 2011. 
  22. ↑ "Calif. congressman wants to deport children of illegal immigrants". USA Today. 28 April 2010. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/04/lawmaker-from-calif-wants-to-deport-children-of-illegal-immigrants/1. 
  23. ↑ Ponting, Bob (29 April 2010). "Congressman's call to deport children of illegals sparks firestorm". Fox 5 San Diego. http://www.fox5sandiego.com/news/kswb-hunter-calls-for-deportation,0,1239838.story. Retrieved 12 February 2011. 
  24. ↑ Rick Maze (2 August 2010). "Hunter seeks loophole to let troops get smokes". http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2010/08/military_mail_tobacco_080210w/. Retrieved 10 March 2013. 
  25. ↑ "H.R.6037 - To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for an exception to the prohibition against mailing tobacco products for products mailed to members of the Armed Forces serving in a combat zone.". United States Legislative Information. Library of Congress. http://beta.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/6037. Retrieved 10 March 2013. 
  26. ↑ PENNER, GLORIA (21 January 2011). "SD Congressman Challenges Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal". KPBS. http://www.kpbs.org/news/2011/jan/21/sd-congressman-challenges-dont-ask-dont-tell-repea/. Retrieved 12 February 2011. 
  27. ↑ Sheets, Connor (2011-12-16). "NDAA Bill: How Did Your Congress Member Vote?". International Business Times. http://www.ibtimes.com/ndaa-bill-how-did-your-congress-member-vote-384362. Retrieved 2013-12-06. 
  28. ↑ Murtaugh, Dan. "Congressman asks for LCS program review, possible rebidding." Press-Register, 7 July 2011.
  29. ↑ Robbins, Gary. "Hunter: Navy may need fewer littoral combat ships." San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 September 2012.
  30. ↑ Jeanette Steele (6 February 2013). "Hunter Opposes Plan for Smaller Navy Fleet". http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2013/feb/06/tp-hunter-opposes-plan-for-smaller-navy-fleet/. Retrieved 7 February 2013. 
  31. ↑ Charles Hoskinson (12 October 2011). "Defense too stingy with Medal of Honor, says Duncan Hunter". http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/65789.html. Retrieved 18 January 2013. 
  32. ↑ Stephen Dinan (13 August 2012). "Congressman: Medal of Honor system broken". http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/aug/13/congressman-medal-honor-system-broken/. Retrieved 25 January 2013. 
  33. ↑ John Wilkens (23 December 2012). "The changing process of awarding military's highest medal: Peralta case an example of modern methods interfering with witness accounts, vets say". http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2012/dec/23/changing-process-of-awarding-highest-medal/. Retrieved 25 January 2013. 
  34. ↑ Duncan D. Hunter (3 June 2011). "How to handle Afghanistan". http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/56116.html. Retrieved 26 January 2013. 
  35. ↑ Gretel C. Kovach (20 October 2013). "Hunter reports progress in Afghan war effort". http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/oct/20/hunter-reports-progress-in-afghan-war-effort/. Retrieved 26 January 2013. 
  36. ↑ Rowan Scarborough (17 February 2013). "Pentagon aims ax to make a point with sequester cuts, uses worst-case scenarios to force deal". http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/feb/17/pentagon-aims-ax-to-make-a-point-with-cuts-worst-c/?page=all#pagebreak. Retrieved 12 February 2013. "As for alternatives to postponing ship deployments, Mr. Hunter suggests cutting a Navy pet project — its Green Fleet — and stop funding the Army’s $28 billion battlefield intelligence processor, which has flunked operational tests." 
  37. ↑ Rick Maze (8 March 2013). "Hunter fears lax standards for women in combat". http://www.armytimes.com/mobile/news/2013/03/military-lawmaker-hunter-fears-lax-standards-for-women-in-combat-030813w. Retrieved 12 March 2013. 
    Jeff Horseman (22 February 2013). "CONGRESS: Hunter has qualms about women in combat". http://www.pe.com/local-news/politics/jeff-horseman-headlines/20130222-congress-hunter-has-qualms-about-women-in-combat.ece. Retrieved 6 March 2013. 
  38. ↑ "Amash amendment: the full roll call". The Guardian. 24 July 2013. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/25/amash-amendment-full-roll-call. Retrieved 24 July 2013. 
  39. ↑ Walker, Mark (October 17, 2013). "Duncan Hunter explains 'no' vote on shutdown bill; Alpine Republican was county congressional delegation's only vote against deal". San Diego Union Tribune. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/oct/17/hunter-congress-vote-budget/. Retrieved 5 November 2013. 
  40. ↑ "Hunter: If You Hit Iran, Do It With Tactical Nuclear Devices". Washington Free Beacon. December 4, 2013. http://freebeacon.com/hunter-if-you-hit-iran-do-it-with-tactical-nuclear-devices/. Retrieved 4 December 2013. 
  41. ↑ Bennett, John T. (4 December 2013). "Rep. Hunter: US Should Use Tactical Nukes on Iran if Strikes Become Necessary". Gannett Government Media Corporation. http://www.defensenews.com/article/20131204/DEFREG02/312040017/Rep-Hunter-US-Should-Use-Tactical-Nukes-Iran-Strikes-Become-Necessary?odyssey=mod_sectionstories. Retrieved 4 December 2013. 
  42. ↑ Rothstein, Betsy (20 March 2007). "Congressman Duncan Hunter will not seek reelection". The Hill. http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/rep.-duncan-hunter-will-not-seek-reelection-2007-03-20.html. 

External links[]

Commons-Logo Wikimedia Commons has media related to Duncan D. Hunter.
United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Duncan L. Hunter 		Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 52nd congressional district
2009–2013 		Succeeded by
Scott Peters
Preceded by
Brian Bilbray 		Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 50th congressional district
2013–present 		Incumbent
United States order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Jim Himes
D-Connecticut 		United States Representatives by seniority
245th 		Succeeded by
Lynn Jenkins
R-Kansas
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