Stivers: NRCC will continue to support Duncan Hunter

National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) said Tuesday that it will continue to support Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) despite the congressman’s recent indictment for allegedly misusing $250,000 in campaign funds.

Hunter and his wife pleaded not guilty to 60 counts against them, including charges that they falsified campaign finance reports and used campaign funds for personal reasons like trips to Italy and Hawaii, his family’s dental work, and his children’s tuition.

The Hunters also allegedly spent thousands of dollars spent on “fast food, movie tickets, golf outings, video games, coffee, groceries, home utilities, and expensive meals,” according to the Department of Justice.

The Cook Political Report shifted its rating on Hunter’s seat to “Lean Republican” from “Solid Republican” after the indictments.

While Democrats are hoping to pick up Hunter’s seat, a recent poll conducted for the Union-Tribune by SurveyUSA showed the embattled Republican with an 8-point lead over his Democratic opponent, Ammar Campa-Najjar.

Hunter’s legal team has questioned the timing of the investigation’s conclusion, noting that the DOJ’s more than two-year probe had wrapped up weeks after the June primary and ahead of the election in November.

Under California law, Hunter’s name cannot be taken off the ballot.

President Trump blasted the Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the DOJ in a tweet Monday that was widely seen as referring to the indictments for Hunter, as well as a separate case involving Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y), who is facing charges of insider trading.

“Two long running, Obama era investigations of two very popular Republican Congressman were brought to a well-publicized charge, just ahead of the Mid-Terms, by the Jeff Sessions Justice Department,” he tweeted on Monday. “Two easy wins now in doubt because there is not enough time. Good job Jeff.”