SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Rep. Duncan Hunter is set to resign later this month, he announced Tuesday.
According to a letter sent to Governor Gavin Newsom, the resignation will be effective close of business day on January 13, 2020.
“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 the last 11 years,” Hunter concludes in the letter to Governor Gavin Newsom.
RELATED: Rep. Duncan Hunter announces resignation days after guilty plea
Hunter pleaded guilty in December to a federal charge of conspiracy to misuse campaign funds for personal use.
Days later, Hunter announced that he would resign.
“Shortly after the Holidays I will resign from Congress," Rep. Hunter said in a statement on December 6.
RELATED: Rep. Duncan Hunter pleads guilty to conspiracy to misuse campaign funds
Hunter faces a possible five-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced March 17.
Click here to read the full letter.
Following the announcement, former City Council member Carl DeMaio called for Gov. Gavin Newsom to hold a special election "as soon as possible."
“The people of the 50th Congressional District deserve their voice in Congress to be restored. Leaving the 50th Congressional District vacant for a full year is wholly unacceptable, and I urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to call a Special Election as soon as possible," DeMaio's statement read.
Gov. Newsom says he won't hold a special election to fill the seat. “The Governor’s office received Rep. Hunter’s resignation letter. Based on the timing of the resignation, a special election will not be called," Newsom's office told 10News.
Ammar Campa-Najjar, the Democratic challenger for the 50th District seat, said in a statement he is focused on moving forward with the race for the seat.
"Yesterday, I called on Congressman Hunter to resign immediately, today he finally tendered his resignation. Hunter should've resigned weeks ago, and shouldn't wait until January 13th to resign. What's done is done, now it's time for the constituents of CA-50 to pick up the pieces and move forward together. As the leading candidate and a constituent of the district, I am committed to restoring real representation to the forgotten people of our district and giving this seat back to its rightful owner-- the people of CA-50," Campa-Najjar's statement read.
