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Yahoo News (AP?)Democrats Field Navy Vet to Run for Hunter’s San Diego Seat
By Rachel Kapochunas
48 minutes ago
Republican candidates have been flocking to run for California Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter’s seat in the 52nd district, but this last weekend, Democrats gained a challenger who believes he can run a competitive race in the GOP-leaning district: retired Navy commander Mike Lumpkin.
Lumpkin announced his candidacy Saturday at a convention held by the San Diego County Democrats, a group Lumpkin said asked him to consider the bid several months ago for the seat Hunter will vacate in order to focus on his longshot bid for the presidency.
“Our nation faces serious challenges. Now, more than ever, the people of California’s 52nd Congressional District deserve an experienced leader to represent them,” Lumpkin said at the event. “A congressional seat is too important to pass from father to son as a birthright because of name recognition, when America’s future is at stake.”
Hunter’s son, Marine Captain Duncan D. Hunter, is one of the Republicans vying for his father’s seat and while legacy candidates are not uncommon in Congress, they often draw criticism for using the advantages of name recognition and other benefits that an incumbent parent can bestow to crowd out rivals.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/cq/20070911/pl_cq_politics/democratsfieldnavyvettorunforhunterssandiegoseat_1;_ylt=A0WTUc_f3uZGugsBtwhjBgIB