H/T to "Mighty Thor" at Red County/San Diego to be the first up with the JohnsonClark release (see below). That makes the field in the 52nd Congressional as follows, for now….
-Duncan D. Hunter, USMC and son of the Congressman
-Ken King, Owner of San Diego Pools
-Brian Jones, Santee Councilman
-Bob Watkins (Bio below)
-More to follow?
Longtime San Diego Area Republican Leader Bob Watkins Preparing Run for 52nd Congressional District
Local businessman, conservative Republican, and former Chairman of the San Diego County Lincoln Club Bob Watkins today announced that he is exploring a run for the 52nd Congressional District being vacated by Duncan Hunter.
"We’ve received very strong support from the donor community, as well as from the Republican grass roots activists," said Watkins, who is a conservative Republican. "We’re moving ahead toward a formal announcement, and we expect to become the front-runner once we make our announcement."
"I still believe we Republicans are the party of fiscal responsibility, the party of the family, and the party of smaller, less intrusive government," continued Watkins. "Unfortunately, some in Congress have lost their way, and the voters responded by removing our majority. I’m going to Congress to help get our majority back – one that’s based on our party’s traditional conservative principles."
An active member of the San Diego community for over 25 years, Watkins currently serves as President of the San Diego County Board of Education – a county-wide elected position. Bob is also a board member and on the executive committee of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, San Diego Regional Airport Authority, San Diego County Board of Education, Meals on Wheels, a trustee of National University and Regenesis Biomedical, Inc.
As Chairman of the San Diego County Lincoln Club, Bob helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for GOP candidates and causes.
He is also a founding member and Trustee of the San Diego National Sports Foundation, and was instrumental in organizing and building the U.S. Olympic Training Center in San Diego. In the past two decades, Bob has also served on the Board of Directors for San Diego International Sports Council and the YMCA of San Diego County, and as Chairman of the Board of the San Diego County American Red Cross; among others.
Watkins is the president & CEO of R.J. Watkins & Company, Ltd., a leading international executive recruiting firm, with offices in San Diego, San Francisco, and London. He has also served as president & CEO of a $200 million entertainment company and the managing director for the San Diego office of the international consulting firm of Russell Reynolds Associates.