Former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio said Monday he would challenging Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., becoming the fifth primary challenger to the embattled fourth-term congressman.
DeMaio, 44, announced his candidacy on Twitter, saying in a statement:
"Too many Californians are fleeing our state because of the extreme socialist agenda being imposed on us by Democrat politicians, but I refuse to flee: I choose to stand and fight."
In San Diego, DeMaio served on the council from 2008 to 2012 and sought to become mayor in 2012. Two years later, he unsuccessfully ran against Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., and became the first congressional candidate to feature his same-sex partner in a campaign ad.
In August, Hunter was indicted on several federal corruption-related charges relating to alleged campaign finance fraud, but he won re-election in November with 51% of the vote.
Hunter, who has represented the district since 2009, is scheduled to go on trial later this year.
Other announced Republican primary challengers to Hunter include former Escondido Mayor Sam Abed, Temecula City Councilman Matt Rahn, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, and retired Navy SEAL Larry Wilske.
Hunter's 2018 Democratic opponent, Ammar Campa-Najjar, has also said he is seeking the seat.
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