Stivers: NRCC will continue to support Duncan Hunter

National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Steve StiversSteven (Steve) Ernst StiversGOP lawmakers say Steve King’s loss could help them in November Longtime GOP Rep. Steve King defeated in Iowa primary Five things to watch in Tuesday’s primaries MORE (R-Ohio) said Tuesday that it will continue to support Rep. Duncan HunterDuncan HunterLobbying world Duncan Hunter granted delayed start to prison sentence over coronavirus New poll shows tight race in key California House race MORE (R-Calif.) despite the congressman’s recent indictment for allegedly misusing $250,000 in campaign funds.

Hunter and his wife pleaded not guilty to 60 counts against them, including charges that they falsified campaign finance reports and used campaign funds for personal reasons like trips to Italy and Hawaii, his family’s dental work, and his children’s tuition.

The Hunters also allegedly spent thousands of dollars spent on “fast food, movie tickets, golf outings, video games, coffee, groceries, home utilities, and expensive meals,” according to the Department of Justice.

The Cook Political Report shifted its rating on Hunter’s seat to “Lean Republican” from “Solid Republican” after the indictments.

While Democrats are hoping to pick up Hunter’s seat, a recent poll conducted for the Union-Tribune by SurveyUSA showed the embattled Republican with an 8-point lead over his Democratic opponent, Ammar Campa-Najjar.

Hunter’s legal team has questioned the timing of the investigation’s conclusion, noting that the DOJ’s more than two-year probe had wrapped up weeks after the June primary and ahead of the election in November.

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Under California law, Hunter’s name cannot be taken off the ballot.

President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE blasted the Attorney General Jeff SessionsJefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsMcCabe, Rosenstein spar over Russia probe Rosenstein takes fire from Republicans in heated testimony Rosenstein defends Mueller appointment, role on surveillance warrants MORE and the DOJ in a tweet Monday that was widely seen as referring to the indictments for Hunter, as well as a separate case involving Rep. Chris CollinsChristopher (Chris) Carl CollinsWe can’t afford to let local news die House bill would ban stock trading by members of Congress Former Rep. Chris Collins sentenced to 2 years in prison for insider trading MORE (R-N.Y), who is facing charges of insider trading.

“Two long running, Obama era investigations of two very popular Republican Congressman were brought to a well-publicized charge, just ahead of the Mid-Terms, by the Jeff Sessions Justice Department,” he tweeted on Monday. “Two easy wins now in doubt because there is not enough time. Good job Jeff.”

 Regarding Collins, Stivers noted has decided not to seek reelection, but said he is hopeful a GOP candidate will retain the seat in November.

“Well, as you know, Chris Collins has decided to not run again, and that was his decision,” Stivers told The Hill. “In America, everybody’s still innocent until proven guilty and you know the voters also get to make up their mind in November. So you know I think it they’ll both work out one way or the other.”