Duncan Hunter gets another GOP challenger

Former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio on Monday announced he will mount a primary challenge to Rep. Duncan Hunter (R), the fifth to announce a primary challenge for the California congressman so far.

It’s official: I’m running for Congress. Join the fight to shake up Congress and take back California! #CA50 https://t.co/i2BE3ncjqR

— Carl DeMaio (@carldemaio) August 5, 2019

DeMaio served on the city council from 2008 to 2012 and was a candidate for mayor in 2012, He also unsuccessfully ran against Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) in 2014, during which he became the first congressional candidate to feature his same-sex partner in a campaign ad.

Hunter already faces primary challenges from Sam Abed, Matt Rahn, Bill Wells and Larry Wilske. His 2018 Democratic opponent, Ammar Campa-Najjar, has also announced he is running for the seat.{mosads}

In 2018, shortly after Hunter was indicted on several charges relating to alleged campaign finance fraud, Hunter won reelection with 51 percent of the vote, the smallest margin of both his career and in the district since 1980.

DeMaio’s announcement comes two days after he told the audience of his KOGO radio show that recent polling indicates Hunter “cannot hold” his seat.

A spokesperson for DeMaio told the Times of San Diego on Saturday that he would clarify which polling he was referencing once he formally decided on a run.

The Hill has reached out to DeMaio’s campaign for clarification.