Editor’s Note: Ammar Campa-Najjar has been in the news a lot since Congressman Duncan Hunter was indicted for illegally diverting a quarter million dollars in campaign funds for his personal use. Since there is no way to remove the incumbent from the ballot at this time, Republicans have come up with a “save the seat” strategy. Hunter will resign should he win the November election, clearing the way for a special election in the spring. In order to ensure that GOP voters in the 50th Congressional District don’t have second thoughts about voting for a crook, Faux News used the headline on this story to gin up some fear.

Below is Ammar’s response along with a commentary from Pastor Paul Dabdoub attesting to the candidate’s moral character. For the record, Campa-Najjar never met the man in question, since the grandfather that Fox News has raised from the dead died two decades before the candidate was born.

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Duncan Hunter Jr. must be desperate. He has to dig back three generations to attack me, all I have to do is look back three days ago at his indictment. Hunter is betting it all on the idea that the people in my district are a bunch of bigoted, backward people. I say don’t underestimate the people of the 50th, I’ve risen to occasion — they will too.

1) This is the grandfather I knew and loved, his name was Celso Campa. Abuelito was an orphaned migrant worker turned police officer. When my parents divorced, it was my abuelito Campa who took us in and let us stay with him. He was a beautiful man, helped treat my first bee sting, taught me to work with my hands, had a contagious laugh, and a generous soul. I use to put his eye drop medicine in his eyes every night before bed, I found him in his room the day he had a stroke. I watched him lose the battle with Alzheimer’s. His wake was one of the hardest experiences of my childhood, and that’s saying a lot. He couldn’t remember me in the end, but I’ll always remember him. I knew abuelito Campa personally, he was a father to me.

2) I had a security clearance working in the Administration, so a full background check was done on me. Back when the White House actually ran security clearances before hiring people.

3) There’s a recent story about a distant relative I never met, who died two decades before I was born. So to the person reading this, I know him as much as you do.

4) I cannot speak for a man I never met, who died two decades before I was born. I can only speak about those I have met. My abuelito Campa, and the thousands of voters I’ve met who have worked tirelessly to restore integrity, honor and civility to the district. They’re the reason we’ve been able to outraise and out-campaign Hunter, and the reason we will win this November.

This is a redemptive election, for all of us who lost in 2016. I love this country because it’s a place where the ultimate comeback stories are written — including my family’s own story. Only in America can the son of a Hispanic woman from the barrio and an Arab man from a war torn place have the freedom to reimagine his life and pursue his dreams.

This election, we’re going to reaffirm who we are as a nation: A country that welcomes all, regardless of their appearance, name, or where their family came from. Let’s condemn xenophobia everywhere, and embrace diversity everywhere. Let’s explore unity, not exploit division.

I don’t care if you’re white, brown or black. I don’t care about who you voted for in 2016 — you belong in my America. Let’s fight for economic justice, make history and achieve victory together in 2018.

– Ammar Campa-Najjar

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Ammar’s Pastor, Paul Dabdoub, shared his views on Fox News’ clickbait title featuring Ammar:

“Most everyone knows me as being right hand dominant when it comes to politics. But fake news is fake news, and it exists everywhere.

Today it hit a little too close to home when I saw a cover story on FoxNews that had my friend, Ammar Campa-Najjar on it.

What most of you probably don’t know is when I first moved to San Diego 11 years ago, Ammar had just graduated high school and was my ministry intern.

He’d radically given his life to Jesus, and practically lived at the church. He tirelessly served and pursued God. Quite frankly, he’s the dream of most pastors who want to see people who love Jesus with their whole hearts and will just say “Yes.” Ammar was just all-in.

When we weren’t shooting goofy youth videos or making a run to feed the homeless in Ocean Beach, we were hanging out at Starbucks, laughing at fast food joints, making insider jokes, or at my house talking about Jesus and dreaming together.

My family always adored Ammar, and we saw him as our family. He even babysat our kids.

As an intern, he did about every odd job you can imagine, but he was also extraordinarily brilliant and talented. Anything he touched he had a natural gift with whether it was music, speaking, debating a topic, or whatever.

I always told him: “You’re going to change the world.”

It wasn’t fluff when I told him that. Over the years when we’d reconnect, I’d always remind him of that. “Don’t forget we’re going to change the world together.”

When we weren’t shooting goofy youth videos or making a run to feed the homeless in Ocean Beach, we were hanging out at Starbucks, laughing at fast food joints, making insider jokes, or at my house talking about Jesus and dreaming together.

My family always adored Ammar, and we saw him as our family. He even babysat our kids.

As an intern, he did about every odd job you can imagine, but he was also extraordinarily brilliant and talented. Anything he touched he had a natural gift with whether it was music, speaking, debating a topic, or whatever.

I always told him: “You’re going to change the world.”

It wasn’t fluff when I told him that. Over the years when we’d reconnect, I’d always remind him of that. “Don’t forget we’re going to change the world together.”

A couple of years ago, I talked to Ammar while he was still living in D.C. He talked about the challenge of living in that city; how no one was your friend unless they thought they could get something from you.

I remember him talking about the crazy idea of coming back to San Diego and running for office because he felt like maybe it was something he was supposed to do. And he shared a renewed sense of the peace of Jesus and said, “You know, some of the stuff that we have going on in this country with immigration, single moms, Arabs, Mexicans – I feel like the answer is in me. I mean, if you can be an immigrant, an Arab, and Mexican, and an American and still have peace, then it’s possible for the entire country.”

I said, “Well, dude, I’ve always said you’re a world changer. You’re responding to the fact that God’s hardwired that in you. I’ve always seen it. I’ve always meant that when I told you. And I believe in you, man.”

I have a lot of friends in San Diego County including east county where Ammar is currently running for Congress, and I’m not writing this to get you to vote for him, I’m simply writing this because you guys know me – even if I blow you out of the water at times with my Jesus stuff, or my Holy Spirit stuff, or my challenging old mindsets & limitations – you know my integrity.
If you disagree with Ammar’s views that’s fine. It’s fair. Yes, he definitely leans left. He’s a member of the Democratic Party.

But don’t give in to fake news. Don’t even give into the narrative that he’s simply a MSM darling. Enough of the outright lies & dishonor, as well as dismissive attitudes.

But what I do know is:

He’s the real deal. He’s genuine. He’s brilliant. He’s also pretty humble.

If you sat down with the guy, he’d answer your questions, hear you out, and not speak to you in a condescending way.

You’d actually love the guy to death. He’s an amazing human being and truly an inspiration.

That’s actually what makes him scary. That’s what makes him a threat to the establishment.

Whether he wins this thing or not, he’s not going to disappear because God’s set his destiny to change the world.

So, if you see any fake news that differs from what you’ve heard here – even if you don’t like his political view – you can reply, “Well, I know a guy…””

Additionally, Ammar Campa-Najjar stated the below on responsibility: “A lesson about personal accountability to Duncan Hunter Jr: I’m not responsible for someone else’s actions, just like your wife isn’t responsible for yours. The voters will judge us by our own actions and merits. Onward to November.”