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Rep. 'Duke' Cunningham Won't Seek Re-Election NewsMax.com WiresSAN MARCOS, Calif. -- Dogged by an investigation into his financial dealings with a defense contractor, U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham has decided to "conclude the public chapter of my life" and not seek re-election to a ninth term. Cunningham, whose term ends in January 2007, said Thursday he couldn't successfully run for office and defend himself against the allegations at the same time. Story Continues Below "Quite simply, right now I may not be the strongest candidate," he said at a news conference with his wife by his side. He did not take questions. The former Navy "Top Gun" fighter pilot and Vietnam veteran has been hounded for weeks by questions concerning his relationship with longtime friend Mitchell Wade, the founder of defense firm MZM Inc. Wade purchased Cunningham's 3,826-square-foot house north of San Diego in 2003, then took a $700,000 loss when he resold it a year later. During that span, home prices in San Diego County rose an average of nearly 25 percent. At the same time, MZM Inc. was increasing its federal contracting business. Cunningham is a member of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, both of which oversee the kind of classified intelligence work MZM does for the military. The congressman also faces questions about the arrangement under which he has lived on Wade's yacht in Washington, D.C. Cunningham said he has paid at least $13,000 to cover dock fees and other expenses in lieu of rent since April 2004. Living on the boat for free would violate congressional ethics rules. Late last month the FBI searched the yacht, as well as Cunningham's current home in California and MZM's Washington headquarters. A federal grand jury in San Diego has also subpoenaed documents from Cunningham. As he has in the past, Cunningham conceded Thursday that he showed "poor judgment" in selling his home to Wade but insisted any investigation would exonerate him. He said he did not profit improperly from the sale. After selling the home, Cunningham bought a $2.5 million seven-bath mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, which is ranked in census reports as the nation's wealthiest community of at least 1,000 households. He said Thursday he plans to sell it and donate a portion of the proceeds to charity. Cunningham acknowledged, however, that this would not likely sway his critics. "This gesture will not convince the skeptics of our good faith," he said. "My detractors have made up their minds, and this act will not reach them - or in any way end the government's investigation of me." Democrats said Cunningham's actions exemplify Americans' distrust of Congress. "The American people deserve a Congress that looks out for their pocketbook issues, not their own pocketbooks," said Bill Burton, spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Cunningham's 2004 Democratic opponent, Francine Busby, called for the congressman to resign immediately and said she plans to run again. The Washington-based political watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics also called for Cunningham's immediate resignation. Cunningham's district is strongly Republican and GOP leaders are confident they will retain the seat. On Thursday, they praised Cunningham for stepping aside. "Today he did for his party what he's always done for his country - put the interest of others above his own," said Carl Forti, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee. Forti said Cunningham was not pressured by party leaders to retire.
© 2005 The Associated Press
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