Politics & Government

Navy Veteran James Kimber Hopes to Unseat Hunter in 50th

Kimber has never run for office, but says he has just as much experience as Hunter did when he took office.


Navy veteran James Kimber's website shows a countdown clock to the June 2014 Congressional primary. As of today, it's 350 days away.

But that's not stopping Democrat Kimber from getting to work on his quest to defeat Republican Duncan Hunter Jr. in the 50th Congressional District. Hunter's been a sitting congressman since 2009. Kimber has never run for office, but says he has just as much experience as Hunter did when he took office.

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The difference is that Hunter Jr. took over the office from his father.

"I don't know if that someone taking an office that's your parent's, that necessarily qualifies you," Kimber said.

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Kimber knows the challenge in unseating an incumbent congressman in a heavily Republican district. But he thinks his campaign will provide an important alternative, especially on issues surrounding veterans. Kimber says that as a veteran, Hunter should be doing more.

"I think he should be their greatest champion, I think he should be out there speaking about this every day," Kimber said.

Kimber works as a physician's assistant, so he also says he has expertise on health care and thinks he can fix immigration and homelessness issues.

"Like a lot of people, I'm tired of seeing members of Congress fight over issues I believe can be solved," he said.


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