Congressional hopeful Duncan D. Hunter continues to pull in far more money than anyone else who sought his father's 52nd District seat.

Campaign finance reports filed last week show that Hunter, a Republican, collected more than double that of any other candidate during the latest filing period from mid-May to the end of June.

52ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: BY THE NUMBERS Total raised by candidates: $841,314: Duncan D. Hunter (R) $291,658: Mike Lumpkin (D) $240,349: Bob Watkins (R) $216,642: Brian Jones (R) $48,848: Vickie Butcher (D) SOURCE: Federal Election Commission

During that time, Hunter, a Marine Corps Reserve captain, collected $200,871, while the second biggest fundraiser, Democrat Mike Lumpkin, a retired Navy SEAL commander, raised $87,126.

Hunter and Lumpkin both won their June primaries and are competing in the Nov. 4 general election to replace U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, who declined to run so he could pursue his party's presidential nomination. He was elected to Congress in 1980.

Records show that among Duncan D. Hunter's contributors were employees of defense contractors who have benefited from the elder Hunter's earmarks, including L-3 Communications and Trex Enterprises Corp. According to its Web site, L-3 has offices in San Diego and supplies products, such as mobile satellite communications, missiles and munitions. Trex Enterprises is a San Diego-based high-technology company.

At least one L-3 Communications employee also contributed to Lumpkin's campaign. Other Lumpkin contributors included political action committees such as the Rhode Island Political Action Committee and the Ironworkers Political Action League, both in Washington, D.C.

Libertarian Michael Benoit, a small-business owner, also is competing for the 52nd District seat. Benoit said he does not plan to raise or spend enough money to require campaign finance reports. Reports are required of candidates raising or spending more than $5,000.

The district spreads across much of East County and northeastern San Diego County, and is the county's only open congressional seat this year.

Records show that two other Republican candidates in the June primary raised far less money than Hunter, and both are still trying to pay off bills.

Brian Jones, a Santee councilman who came in second in the GOP primary, collected $25,559 from mid-May to June 30, but also has $14,658 in debt. Jones said he is trying to avoid having to use his own money to cover his bills.

“It's a challenge, but I don't think it's unsurmountable,” Jones said.

For the same reporting period, Watkins, a businessman and president of the San Diego County Board of Education, raised $10,325 and posted a debt of $15,759. He finished third in the Republican primary.

“We will not leave anyone in the cold. That's not good business,” Watkins wrote in an e-mail. “All debts will be paid.”

The other Democratic candidate in June, nonprofit executive Vickie Butcher, reported raising $5,755 for a total of $48,848. Butcher listed no debts.

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Michele Clock: (619) 593-4964; michele.clock@uniontrib.com