Congressman's defense contacts help son

SAN DIEGO, May 29 (UPI) -- A California congressional candidate is raking in big bucks from the ties his father, Rep. Duncan Hunter, made over 25 years in Congress, campaign reports show.

The candidate, who bears his father's name, is running to succeed his dad. The younger Hunter has raised much of his campaign cash from defense contractors and his father's congressional colleagues, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Thursday.

The elder Duncan was chairman of the House Armed Services Committee until the Democrats won control of the House in 2006. Companies Duncan was able to help with congressional earmarks have given to his son's campaign, the newspaper said.

Of Hunter's $640,547 in campaign funds, $74,150 has come from members of Congress.

Congressman Hunter in the 2008 Defense Appropriations bill was able to secure $19 million to L-3 Communications for the development and testing of a missile system. They contributed $2,750 to Duncan D. Hunter's campaign.

The representative was also able to get Trex Enterprises Corp. $1.5 million for the development of a device that will help helicopter pilots navigate with limited visibility. Trex employees, including a scientist, donated $4,800 to Duncan D. Hunter's campaign, the newspaper said.