SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Carl DeMaio and Darrell Issa this week received key endorsements in their Congressional race to replace Rep. Duncan Hunter.
Former representative for California's 48th and 49th Legislative Districts Darrell Issa received two endorsements Thursday from major Republican notables Mike Huckabee and Newt Gingrich in his campaign for California's 50th District seat.
Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor and two-time Republican candidate for President, recorded a radio ad for Issa.
"I know for a fact President Trump trusts Darrell and can rely on him. Darrell will help the president build the wall and secure our borders," Huckabee said.
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who is also a former GOP presidential candidate, endorsed Issa on his twitter account and in a radio ad filmed for the Issa campaign.
"I know he's a solid conservative. I know he's the kind of person that President Trump needs in Washington. I know that he's fought to clean the swamp up long before most people had ever heard the term," Gingrich said in the ad.
California's 50th District seat was recently vacated by Rep. Duncan Hunter, who had pleaded guilty to one count of misusing campaign funds. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Issa's main competition for the district includes a Republican challenge from Carl DeMaio and one from Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar. Also on the ballot for the March 3 primary will be Democrat Marisa Calderon, Republicans Brian Jones and Nathan Wilkins, Independents Helen Horvath, Lucinda Jahn and Henry Ota and Peace and Freedom Party candidate Jose Cortes.
DeMaio's campaign manger released the following statement:
“It’s no surprise that after nearly 20 years of hanging out in the swamp, career politicians are now returning favors for Darrell Issa. Fortunately, San Diegans know Carl DeMaio is the fighter President Trump needs to have his back in congress.”
Earlier this week, DeMaio received the endorsements of leading border security advocates who cited their support for DeMaio’s 5-point Border Security Initiative which includes building the wall, adding Border Patrol agents, fixing loopholes in the asylum and immigration laws, repealing the Sanctuary State Law, ending welfare benefits for illegal immigrants, and fully enforcing E-verify to crack down on illegal employment.
"Powerful interests want open borders and amnesty for illegal immigrants no matter what the financial cost or security risk to our country. We cannot wait for Washington politicians to act; it is time that citizens rise up and force action to secure the border and combat illegal immigration," said DeMaio.
