Trump lands his first congressional endorsements
Trump lands his first congressional endorsements
By NICK GASS
02/24/16 10:59 AM EST
Donald Trump finally has official supporters in Congress.
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) told POLITICO on Wednesday that he will support Trump for the Republican nomination, making him one of the first members of Congress to express public support for the Manhattan businessman who is the prohibitive front-runner after his victory in Tuesday's Nevada caucuses.
Also on Wednesday, Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) told The Buffalo News that he is backing Trump, saying he has the "guts and fortitude" to get jobs back from China and to take on foreign threats such as the Islamic State and North Korea.
In an interview on Wednesday, Hunter told POLITICO that Trump has the strength needed for the job. "We don't need a policy wonk as president. We need a leader as president," Hunter said, adding that he has told his colleagues much of the same thing.
"I'm in, and I've been in," he said in a telephone interview.
Noting that he and Trump see eye-to-eye on a number of issues, including border security, manufacturing and national security, Hunter said he also likes Trump for another reason. "I don't think Trump wants my endorsement," Hunter said, while also remarking that he has not heard from the candidate himself. "And that's one reason why I like him," he added. Trump said earlier Wednesday that "endorsements mean very little."
Hunter sponsored legislation last year that became known by its opponents as the Donald Trump Act, which would have forced local law enforcement in sanctuary cities to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement if they had an undocumented immigrant in custody.
Hunter, a former Marine, was elected to Congress in 2008, taking over the seat of his father, Duncan L. Hunter, who had an unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2008.
"I've liked Trump since the beginning," Hunter said, and he hinted that other members of Congress might secretly support Trump as well.
"I think you have more Trump supporters in Congress. They just have to come out of the closet, so to speak," he said.
A spokeswoman for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-g...#ixzz41731b4pL
Local Congressman Duncan Hunter endorses Donald Trump
He use to be my congressman however due to redistricting he no longer is unfortunately.
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Posted: Feb 24, 2016 4:13 PM PST
Updated: Feb 24, 2016 5:39 PM PST
By Paco Ramos
SAN DIEGO (CBS 8 ) - Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) on Wednesday told POLITICO he will support Donald Trump for the Republican nomination.
Congressman Hunter is one of the first members of Congress to openly express support for Trump.
In an interview with POLITICO, Hunter said Trump has the strength needed for the job. "We don't need a policy wonk as president. We need a leader as president," Hunter said, adding that he has told his colleagues much of the same thing. "I'm in, and I've been in," he said
According to his interview, Congressman Hunter and Trump see eye-to-eye on a number of issues, including border security.
In 2015, Congressman Hunter introduced legislation that became known by its opponents as the Donald Trump Act. According to POLITICO, the legislation would have forced law enforcement in a sanctuary cities to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement if they had an undocumented immigrant in custody.
Recently, Congressman Hunter introduced legislation requiring woman to register for the draft.
Hunter, a former Marine, was elected to Congress in 2008, taking over the seat of his father.
Congressman Hunter represents the 50th District of California. The district includes: Fallbrook, San Marcos, Valley Center, Ramona, Escondido, Santee, Lakeside, and mountain and desert areas stretching east to the Imperial County line. It extends slightly into southwestern Riverside County in the Temecula area.
http://www.cbs8.com/story/31307995/l...s-donald-trump
