Rocky Chávez endorses Duf Sundheim for U.S. Senate

After retiring his campaign for U.S. Senate earlier this week, Republican Assemblyman Rocky Chávez endorsed his former GOP challenger Duf Sundheim on Friday.

The Oceanside lawmaker suspended his bid and announced plans to run for re-election to the Legislature instead during a radio debate in San Diego, before walking off the stage.

Chávez, a retired Marine Corps colonel, said the three most important issues to him are national security, the economy and education.

“Duf Sundheim is the candidate who not only understands these issues, but has a track record of achievement,” he said in a press release Friday. “That is why I am endorsing him today.”

Both Sundheim and the remaining prominent Republican in the race, Tom Del Beccaro, are past chairmen of the California Republican Party.

This story was originally published February 12, 2016 at 4:50 AM.