CALIFORNIA/GOP/HOUSE OF REPS/LEGAL/TRUMP PEOPLE: “A federal grand jury on Tuesday [8-21-18] indicted California GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter and his wife on charges of improperly using hundreds of thousands of campaign funds to pay for personal expenses, including family vacations and dental work. Hunter is also accused of filing false campaign reports and wire fraud. The late-August indictment is a huge problem for California Republicans. Unless Hunter were to pass away in the next 10 days – Aug. 31 – there is no way to replace him on the ballot this November, according to the California Secretary of State’s office. There is also no write-in option under state law. While the San Diego-based district is solidly Republican and Hunter was moving toward reelection despite his legal problems, Tuesday’s indictment may cost the GOP a badly needed House seat in a potential wave-election year favoring Democrats…Hunter’s attorney, Gregory Vega, claims the prosecution of his client is politically motivated. Vega has sent letters to the Justice Department complaining that two of the federal prosecutors involved in the Hunter case attended a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton in Aug. 2015. Hunter, one of the first lawmakers on Capitol Hill who endorsed his candidacy, was a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump’s campaign.”
–John Bresnahan and Rachel Bade, “Hunter indictment could jeopardize GOP seat,” Politico, August 21, 2018 9:02 pm