Republican primary rival Duncan D. Hunter had a superior first quarter fundraising period than Bob Watkins, but the Watkins campaign is not discouraged, a spokesperson said today.

“The showing Hunter had was fairly strong, but we think the campaign is a marathon, not a sprint,” said Jennifer Kearns, who added that the campaign will be won in the remaining six weeks leading up the June 3 Republican primary.

Watkins, a businessman and the president of the San Diego County Board of Education, is running to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter in the 52nd Congressional District. Also running on the Republican side is Brian Jones, a Santee City Councilman, and Hunter, an Iraq war veteran and the son of the current congressman.

Hunter posted almost $279,000 raised during the quarter, leaving him with $263,000 on hand. Jones raised about $28,000 and had $78,000 in cash on hand. Watkins reported raising $79,000 and had $44,000 on hand.

Kearns would not say if Watkins would provide loans to his campaign in the coming weeks, but she said Watkins was in Washington, D.C. this week to meet with donors.

The Watkins campaign also dismissed concerns that, with a low turnout for the summer primary election expected, voters might accidentally select Hunter believing he was his father. Watkins aides insist that voters in the district are sufficiently informed about the choices. 

In the coming weeks, the Watkins campaign is planning to highlight Watkins’s experience in the policy realm – something which the campaign says, gives Watkins an edge over his opponents. The campaign is promising a series of high-profile endorsements and policy rollouts in the next 10 days. “We believe Bob by far has the best experience,” said Kearns.