Duncan L. Hunter endorses Jorgensen for Congress

By Steve Dreyer

Retired Congressman Duncan L. Hunter on Monday endorsed Kirk Jorgensen, a Republican candidate for the 52nd Congressional District, according to the Jorgensen campaign.

A Black Mountain Ranch resident, Jorgensen is a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran who declared his interest in Congress in June. This is his first try at public office.

“Kirk Jorgensen represents qualities that our community needs,” Hunter said in a prepared statement. “He has served our nation on the battlefield and brings strong character and intelligence to the political arena. He will work to bring quality jobs to San Diego. Further, he knows the importance of maintaining a strong national defense.”

Hunter represented San Diego County in the House of Representatives from California’s 52nd, 45th, and 42nd districts. He was first elected in 1980 and retired in 2009. He is a former chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. His son, Duncan D. Hunter, replaced his father in Congress in 2009 in the reconfigured 50th District.

The 52nd Congressional District, stretching from Poway and Rancho Bernardo to Coronado, is represented by first-term Democrat Scott Peters, D-La Jolla, who will be seeking re-election in the June 2014 primary.

Jorgensen and former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio of Rancho Bernardo are the two declared Republican candidates. DeMaio is reportedly trying to decide whether he wants to continue with the Congressional bid or run in the pending special election to replace Mayor Bob Filner, who is resigning effective Friday. A special mayoral election will likely be held on Nov. 19. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff election will be held involving the top two vote-getters.