John Hunter is an unseen character in Grand Theft Auto IV.
He is voiced by Henry Strozier.
History
Background
According to his campaign ads, Hunter is a draft dodger who refused to serve in the Vietnam War when called up for conscription in 1968. He was also a small-time actor in Vinewood before entering politics.
Events of Grand Theft Auto IV
In 2008, Hunter is the liberal candidate for the upcoming gubernatorial election in the State of Liberty. His opponent is the conservative candidate Michael Graves, and their campaigns have reached billboards, radio and the Internet.
The radio ads in particular are mostly slander-filled attack ads towards each other. For example, one of Hunter's claims that Michael Graves has "forgotten the tragic events of a few years ago" (though the event in question is never confirmed). Another advertisement denounces Graves' wife as a "harlot" who has allegedly aborted five children. Both of these attack ads appear as commercials while watching the in-game television. In retaliation, one of Michael Graves' campaign ads claims Hunter wants to install webcams in people's bedrooms and charge them $5 each time they masturbate.
Hunter is one of the guests on the Intelligent Agenda program on Public Liberty Radio. Describing himself as a "Conservative-Liberal Democrat", Hunter discusses his views on healthcare, the economy, the war, and education. On education, he is in favor of "breaking the teachers union...[and] buying balls and uniforms, then the books if we can afford them". He also refers to the internet as "a series of tubes". At the end of the show, Hunter ends up spanking child prodigy Zachary Tyler after Tyler explains his plan to end hunger through the use of involuntary euthanasia.
As reported by Weazel News, Hunter is accused of yelling a racial epithet while stuck in traffic. However, a spokesperson promptly clarifies that Hunter has many black friends, and he was simply singing along to rap music. They further explain that their campaign really needs black votes.
After Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend, our-own-reality.com reports that he and Graves took their campaign battle to internet chatrooms where it descended into a leet speak flame war.
Character
Appearance
Hunter uses a generic pedestrian model that can be found on the streets of Liberty City.
Influence
His and Michael Graves' names may be a reference to Michael Hunter, composer of the theme music for Grand Theft Auto IV.
His conservative-liberal leanings may be a reference to the Democratic Party's move towards more conservative policies in the 1990s under Bill Clinton, and the various (relatively) conservative Democrats in the 2000s, especially post 9/11, such as Joe Lieberman. His Vinewood career may have been based on Fred Dalton Thompson.
Gallery
Trivia
- One of Hunter's billboards can be found along the Plumbers Skyway in Alderney, despite the fact that Alderney is a separate state.