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Duncan Hunter Campaign Ad Calls Democratic Challenger "Security Risk"

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, speak with reporters in Point Loma after a fishing trip for wounded veterans, Aug. 22, 2018.
Matt Hoffman/KPBS
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, speak with reporters in Point Loma after a fishing trip for wounded veterans, Aug. 22, 2018.

The 30-second video advertisement is paid for by Duncan D. Hunter For Congress and makes a number of claims.

“He’s used three different names to hide his families ties to terrorism," said the ad's narrator. "His grandfather masterminded the Munich Olympic Massacre.”

Ammar Campa-Najjar said he did recently change his name, officially, from Ammar Yassir-Najjar, but he's used Campa-Najjar in his professional life for many years. A campaign spokesman said it had nothing to do with supposedly distancing himself from the actions of Campa-Najjar’s grandfather.

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Campa-Najjar does not deny his grandfather was involved in an attack that killed Israeli athletes. But his grandfather also died 16 years before he was born. The Democratic candidate has condemned the attack.

Video: Duncan Hunter Ad Against Campa-Najjar

RELATED: Ammar Campa-Najjar Releases Pointed Ad Against Duncan Hunter Ahead Of Midterm Election

The Hunter ad also features a clip from a story on One America News.

“He (Campa-Najjar) is being supported by CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood," said Joseph John — who is listed as a co-founder of Combat Veterans For Congress.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said it does not endorse candidates. A political action committee called “CAIR-CA” has put out a voter guide choosing Campa-Najjar over Hunter — but CAIR said they don’t coordinate with the PAC.

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The Hunter campaign offered KPBS no evidence his opponent is supported by the radical Islamic “Muslim Brotherhood,” following multiple attempts to contact them.

Also, Campa Najjar is a Christian, not a Muslim.

"This is a well orchestrated plan," John said in the campaign ad.

John's PAC, Combat Veterans For Congress, was created, "To endorse fiscally conservative Combat Veterans For Congress who would work to rein in the out of control spending by irresponsible members of Congress..."

The group supports Congressman Hunter, who along with his wife Margaret have been charged with illegally spending over $250,000 in campaign funds. Hunter has publicly denied the allegations.

RELATED: US Rep. Duncan Hunter, Wife, Indicted On Corruption Charges

In response to this campaign ad, Campa-Najjar said in part, “I served in the White House and the administration, meaning I was given a security clearance by the Secret Service after a thorough background check. He (Hunter) knows I'm not responsible for my family's actions…”

Campa-Najjar has released his own ads about Hunter. It's unclear when or where Hunter's campaign ad may be running.

Duncan Hunter Campaign Ad Calls Democratic Challenger "Security Risk"
Duncan Hunter Campaign Ad Calls Democratic Challenger "Security Risk"
A campaign ad by East County Congressman Duncan Hunter claims Democratic challenger Ammar Campa-Najjar is a "security risk" with terrorist ties.

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