Duncan Hunters Keeping Donors in the Family

Can you inherit political donors from your father?

Duncan D. Hunter, a 31-year-old Marine reservist running for his dad’s California congressional seat, may prove you can.

The son of Rep. Duncan Hunter, the San Diego-area lawmaker who is the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, is getting a lot of cash from defense contractors his dad helped out.

The San Diego Union-Tribune took a look at firms that got earmarks through the elder Hunter and found they’re giving money to the younger one:

Records show connections between companies Rep. Hunter has worked with and some individuals who are contributing to his son’s campaign.

Rep. Hunter added language to the 2008 Defense Appropriations bill awarding $19 million to L-3 Communications, which has an office in San Diego, for the development and testing of a missile system, according to data compiled by Taxpayers for Common Sense. Executives from that company contributed $2,750 to Duncan D. Hunter’s campaign.

Rep. Hunter also earmarked San Diego-based Trex Enterprises Corp. $1.5 million for the development of a device that will help helicopter pilots navigate with limited visibility. Campaign finance records show Trex employees, including a scientist, donated $4,800 to Duncan D. Hunter’s campaign.

Lobbyists working for the companies have also supported Hunter’s campaign. Patrick McSwain and Frank Collins, who were listed as principals at the lobbying firm Northpoint Strategies, collectively donated $2,500. Northpoint worked on behalf of L-3. McSwain and Collins were both former [Rep. Duke] Cunningham chiefs of staff.

The younger Hunter has a strong fundraising lead over the three other Republicans vying for the nomination in the district, a GOP stronghold.