John H. Dalton, Secretary of the Navy under President Clinton, announced his endorsement of Ammar Campa-Najjar on Friday and blasted Rep. Duncan Hunter for attacking his opponent’s heritage.
“As a former naval officer and Secretary of the Navy, I know first-hand that America is at its best when we treat one another with dignity and respect, regardless of our differences,” Dalton said. “I find it regrettable that his opponent has engaged in attacks against Ammar Campa-Najjar based on his race and heritage.”
Hunter has attacked Campa-Najjar as an “Islamist” because his father is Palestinian and a grandfather he never knew was a terrorist. Campa-Najjar was raised in East County by his Catholic mother and is a Christian.
Dalton, who was Navy Secretary from 1993 to 1998, said Campa-Najjar’s background would allow him to bring “important perspective to Congress, which could only serve to strengthen our great country.”
Campa-Najjar, a Democrat, is seeking to end the Hunter family’s nearly four-decade control of the 50th Congressional District in East County.
