FLASHREPORT

With the announcement yesterday that Assemblyman George Plescia is supporting the younger Hunter for Congress, I asked myself how the endorsements seem to be flowing thus far among the candidates.  That is, if endorsements amount to a hill of beans when it's all done.

Santee Councilman Brian Jones seemed to get out early, locking in a number of East County local electeds.  Many of those folks, if they had been asked to stay neutral until Duncan D. returned from Afghanistan so they could meet him, may have felt at least temporarily obligated to do so.  But, Congressman Hunter was tied up in a larger campaign.  So, the person doing the asking was Jones, who was all over the place garnering support from his fellow locals.

County Board of Ed President Bob Watkins has nailed down some non-East County but significant locals like Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox and County Supervisor Ron Roberts.  Given Watkins' long service with the Lincoln Club, he no doubt is more prone to getting early support from the "downtown SD establishment."  Some of the blogs have made mention of the support not seemingly coming from East County, so it will be interesting to see how successful Bob is in that endeavor.

With Duncan D. now back, campaigning, and on the circuit, he is starting to make some headway with the local electeds.  He does have about 80 members of Congress on board thus far, no surprise there.  He also has Senator Dennis Hollingsworth, talk radio host Hugh Hewitt, and now Plescia.

Businessman Ken King has a nice list of supporters developing on his website.  No big names, as of yet.

Here's the Plescia announcement of yesterday....

La Mesa, CA - Republican Assemblyman George Plescia today endorsed Duncan D. Hunter for Congress in the 52nd District Republican Primary. Plescia represents the 75th Assembly District, which overlaps with the 52nd Congressional District Hunter is seeking.

"Duncan's experience with our military and his conservative values will make him an outstanding member of Congress," said Assemblyman Plescia.

Plescia was elected to the State Assembly in 2002 and has served as Assembly Republican Leader.  In Sacramento, he has championed transportation issues and easing traffic gridlock.

Capt. Duncan D. Hunter returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan in late November and is now campaigning full time for the 52nd congressional district seat, currently held by his father, U.S. Representative Duncan Hunter.  Hunter joined the United States Marine Corps after September 11, 2001 and has served three tours in the Middle East, two in Iraq and the latest in Afghanistan.

"Assemblyman Plescia is one of the most respected Republican leaders in San Diego County  and I am honored to have his support," said Hunter.

Plescia joins a long list of key GOP endorsements for the Hunter campaign, including State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth, former Assemblyman Jay LaSuer  and over 80 Republican members of Congress.

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