Duncan D. Hunter facts for kids
Duncan Duane Hunter (born December 7, 1976) is an American former politician and a U.S. Marine. He served as a U.S. Representative for California from 2009 to 2020. He is a member of the Republican Party. Hunter was first elected to the House in 2008, taking over from his father, Duncan Lee Hunter.
His district covered parts of northern and inland San Diego County and a small area of Riverside County. This included cities like El Cajon, Escondido, and Temecula. Hunter served in the U.S. Marines from 2001 to 2005. Later, he faced legal challenges regarding how he used campaign funds. He stepped down from his role in Congress in January 2020 and later received a pardon.
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Early Life and School
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Duncan Hunter was born in San Diego, California. His parents are Helynn Louise and Duncan Lee Hunter. He finished high school at Granite Hills High School in El Cajon, California, in 1994.
He then went to San Diego State University. In 2001, he earned a degree in information systems. While in college, Hunter started a web design company with a friend. After graduating, he worked in San Diego as an information technology business analyst.
Serving in the Military
After the September 11 attacks, Hunter joined the United States Marine Corps. He went to Officer Candidates School. In March 2002, he became a second lieutenant. He served as a field artillery officer in the 1st Marine Division. This was after the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
He completed a second tour in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004. During this time, he fought in battles as part of Operation Vigilant Resolve. In September 2005, Hunter left active duty in the Marines. After this, he started a company that built homes.
In 2007, he was called back to active duty. He was sent to Afghanistan. He was promoted to captain in 2006 and to major in 2012. Hunter stayed in the Marine Corps Reserve until 2017.
Becoming a U.S. Representative
On March 20, 2007, Hunter's father, Duncan Lee Hunter, announced he would not run for re-election. He had served in the House of Representatives for 14 terms.
After Duncan Hunter announced he would run for his father's seat, the United States Marine Corps called him back to serve. He was deployed to the War in Afghanistan. On June 3, 2008, Hunter won the Republican primary election. He received 72% of the votes. This made him the Republican candidate to replace his father.
In the main election, Hunter won against Democratic candidate Mike Lumpkin. Hunter received 56% of the votes. He became the first combat veteran from either Iraq or Afghanistan to serve in the U.S. Congress. He was also the first Marine to have fought in both conflicts.
Hunter won re-election for a second term with 63% of the votes. After new district lines were drawn, his district became the 50th District. It moved more to the east, covering most of inland San Diego County.
In 2012, Hunter won the primary election with 67% of the votes. In the general election, he defeated David Secor with 68% of the votes. He became only the third person to represent this district since it was created in 1960.
He won re-election in 2014 and 2016 by large margins. In 2018, he faced several challengers. He won the primary with 47.4% of the votes. In the November election, he won with 51.7% of the votes. This was a very close race for the district.
What He Did in Congress
In July 2013, Hunter voted against a change that aimed to limit government surveillance. In October 2013, he was the only representative from San Diego County to vote against ending a government shutdown. He explained that he voted no because the bill did not reduce government spending or the national debt.
Hunter was an early supporter of Donald Trump's presidential campaign. He endorsed Trump in February 2016. He was the second member of Congress to support him.
Committees He Served On After facing legal issues in August 2018, Hunter had to leave all his Congressional committees.
- Committee on Armed Services (he resigned)
- Committee on Education and the Workforce (he resigned)
- Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (he resigned)
Groups He Joined
- Congressional Arts Caucus
- Congressional Western Caucus
- Republican Study Committee
His Views on Key Issues
Following his father's path, Hunter's voting record was conservative. He was a member of the Republican Study Committee. This group is made up of conservative members of the House.
Economy Hunter voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. He said the plan was good for most states. However, he felt it was "not as good" for California.
Healthcare Hunter wanted to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. He voted to repeal it in January 2017. He supported the American Health Care Act of 2017 (AHCA). This bill would partly replace Obamacare. He voted for the AHCA on May 4, 2017. He said the AHCA would "save America."
Hunter was against the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. He believed it would take away the doctor-patient relationship. He also felt it would remove people's right to choose their medical care. He said a "government bureaucrat" would make healthcare decisions.
Environment On environmental issues, Hunter has a low score from the League of Conservation Voters. This is an environmental group.
Hunter does not agree with the idea that climate change is caused by humans. He believes it might even be positive. He thinks its cause is unknown.
Hunter does not believe the EPA should control greenhouse gas emissions. He has voted against government limits on CO2 pollution. He wants to allow more oil drilling in the United States. He believes this would lower gas prices.
In 2009, Hunter supported changing the protected status of the delta smelt. He said this would help reduce unemployment in California.
Women's Issues He voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. This law made it easier to file lawsuits about wage discrimination.
In February 2013, Hunter voted to renew the Violence Against Women Act.
Hunter was against women serving in combat roles. In 2016, he suggested a change to a defense bill. This change would require 18-to-26-year-old women to register for the Selective Service System. This is something 18-to-26-year-old men must do. The House Armed Services Committee voted to adopt his suggestion.
Immigration At a rally in April 2010, Hunter spoke about immigration. He supported the idea of deporting U.S. citizens who are children of undocumented immigrants. He said, "We simply cannot afford what we're doing right now." He supported a measure to end birthright citizenship in the United States. He also supported the 2010 Arizona immigration law. He called it a national security issue.
About His Family
In 1998, Hunter married Margaret Elizabeth Jankowski. They met in 1992. They have three children. In 2016, Hunter sold his home. He used some of the money to pay back his political campaign for personal expenses. He and his family then moved in with his father, Duncan L. Hunter.
In August 2020, Margaret Hunter pleaded guilty to misusing campaign funds. She was sentenced to home confinement and probation. She filed for divorce from Hunter in November 2020. Their divorce was finalized in January 2023. She then started using her maiden name, Jankowski.
