The United States Congressman who plead guilty to using campaign funds on video games has announced plans to resign from office. In December, Rep. Duncan Hunter, a Republican in the state of California,plead guilty to stealing $250,000 of campaign fundsto buy games on Steam and flights for his rabbits, and was accused of using some of the money to fund extra-marital affairs with five different women.
The San Diego Tribune reveals that Rep. Hunter has written a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Governor of California Gavin Newsom to confirm that he plans to resign from his office on January 13. “It has been an honor to serve the people of California’s 50th District, and I greatly appreciate the trust they have put in me over these last 11 years,” wrote Rep. Hunter. The resigning politician also said that he was proud to have “brought attention to inefficient military programs” and to have “worked to ensure our war fighters had the resources they needed to carry out their mission.” However, as well as his spending onSteamgames, some will also remember Rep. Hunter as “The Vaping Congressman” because he often vaped during Congressional sessions.
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It’s unclear what Rep. Hunter’s resignation means for his constituents in California’s 50th District. With Rep. Hunter resigning ahead of sentencing on March 17, Governor Newsom now has to choose whether he will call an election or leave the seat vacant until after thepresidential election in November. The publication had sent a question to Governor Newsom’s office asking if there are plans to hold a special election after the March 3 primary, but it did not get an answer back.
The story of Rep. Hunter is a strange one as politicians don’t typically make the news for buying games. Typically, politicians who talk about video games are legislating againstvideo game loot boxesor are suggesting that video game violence is to blame for mass shootings. Gamers in the Congressman’s constituency will be disappointed that he stole campaign funds to live a lavish life and that his committing of felonies takes the light away from the important issues that they elected him to address. Some may also wonder how Rep. Hunter was able to spend so much on Steam when there are regular Steam sales held throughout the year.
