Hunter backs Huckabee

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) endorsed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) in the GOP presidential primary on Wednesday, his former campaign manager said.

{mosads}“I got to know Governor Huckabee well on the campaign trail,” said Hunter. “Of the remaining candidates I feel that he is strongly committed to strengthening national defense, constructing the border fence and meeting the challenge of China ’s emergence as a military superpower that is taking large portions of America ’s industrial base.”

Hunter’s endorsement could help Huckabee with illegal immigration and border security credentials. The congressman’s presidential campaign, which was built around his national security and immigration stances, never caught fire and ended following the Nevada Caucus on Saturday.

"Along with these issues of national security, border enforcement and protecting the U.S. industrial base, I see another quality of Mike Huckabee’s candidacy that compels my endorsement," Hunter added. "Mike Huckabee is a man of outstanding character and integrity.  I saw that character over the last year of campaigning and was greatly impressed.  The other Republican candidates have many strengths and I wish them all well."