[Sign up for our daily newsletter about news from California here.] Days after pleading guilty to a charge of misusing campaign funds, Representative Duncan Hunter of California said on Friday that he would resign his seat in Congress “shortly after the holidays,” capping a remarkable downfall for a war hero and onetime rising star of the Republican Party. After pleading guilty on Tuesday, his resignation was widely expected, and on Thursday the House Ethics Committee issued a letter to Mr. Hunter telling him he should not vote on legislative matters. Despite the charges, Mr. Hunter, who turns 43 on Saturday, won re-election last year, and his departure opens up a crucial congressional seat that Republicans will be challenged to hold in next year’s election. Mr. Hunter’s wife, Margaret, was also indicted and reached a plea deal earlier this year.

Source: New York Times December 06, 2019 23:00 UTC