Duncan Hunter, Democratic opponent seek money advantage ahead of 2020 rematch

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) raised $496,000 during the second quarter, while Democratic opponent Ammar Campa-Najjar collected $400,000 as they gear up for a highly anticipated rematch in 2020. 

Campa-Najjar’s campaign said in a press release the second-quarter haul meant he had raised about $756,000 this cycle, more money than any 2020 congressional challenger this year, after factoring in the $350,000 raised in the first quarter. The average online donation amounted to $60.

{mosads}The campaign now has $456,000 cash on hand after accounting for debts-owed, it added in an email to The Hill.

Hunter, according to documents filed Tuesday after the Monday deadline, raised $496,000 during the second quarter in 2019, bringing his total to over $591,000 this year. 

It has roughly $111,000 cash on hand when accounting for debts-owed.

“I’m proud of the people-powered campaign we are leading against Hunter,” Campa-Najjar said in a statement to The Hill. 

Hunter is in the midst of a legal battle, facing charges of fraud and campaign finance violations over allegations he used campaign funds for personal expenses. He was stripped of his committee assignments in August after he was first indicted and has pleaded not guilty. 

Hunter in 2018 narrowly won reelection over Campa-Najjar by about 3 points in a bitterly fought race after winning his race by roughly 27 points in 2016.

Hunter has sought to highlight Campa-Najjar’s Mexican and Palestinian heritage in attack ads, while the Democrat has hit the congressman over his legal woes.

Both are now likely to face off in a highly anticipated match-up in 2020.

The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper, rates the race as “lean Republican.” 

Campa-Najjar raised just over $4 million during his 2018 run, according to the Federal Election Commission.

— Updated at 5:36 p.m.