Duncan Hunter was born on July 12, 1976, in California. His father, Duncan L. Hunter, also served as a U.S. Representative. Following the September 11 attacks, Hunter quit his job as an information technology business analyst and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan, making him one of the few members of Congress with combat experience in both countries.
In 2009, Duncan Hunter was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican. Throughout his political career, he has consistently voted with the Republican majority 88.7% of the time. He has been a staunch supporter of military funding and veterans' benefits, drawing on his own experience in the armed forces.
Outside of his political career, Duncan Hunter is a devoted family man. He has three children with his wife Margaret, whom he met while serving in the Marine Corps. The Hunters are active in their local community and regularly participate in charity events and fundraisers.
Despite his strong support for military issues, Duncan Hunter has faced criticism for some of his more controversial positions. He opposed the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, arguing that allowing openly gay service members would harm military readiness. He also publicly clashed with President Barack Obama over defense spending and foreign policy decisions.
In 2018, Duncan Hunter was indicted on charges of campaign finance violations. He was accused of using campaign funds for personal expenses, including vacations, groceries, and video games. Hunter maintained his innocence, claiming that the charges were politically motivated. The case is ongoing.