Thanks for your time and interest in my first Daily Kos diary. I'm Doug Denneny and I just filed for Congress in Virginia's 11th District www.dougforcongress.org . I'll need your advice, counsel, and assistance over the next fifteen months. This is me, the candidate writing, warts and all... nobody will ghost write these blogs for me. I'll be very candid with you, and believe in straight talk, transparency, and in working hard together to get Democrats elected locally in 2007 and nationally in 2008.
I'm the only Democrat who has filed for this race. The seat is held by Tom Davis; a vulnerable incumbent in a district trending blue, who has said he is bored with the House and if John Warner retires, will probably run for the Senate in 08.
Regardless of how the dominos fall and who I'll possibly face in a primary or general, I'm in this race to win and I will be the most qualified and capable candidate in this race. I represent change and I want to improve the future of the citizens of the 11th District and all Americans. I have a passion for public service and I have the necessary work ethic and strong resume to win this seat and to increase our Democratic majority in Congress.
Before I run through a very brief resume and mention issues, I want to impress upon you that I have a strong balance of Capitol Hill experience, community involvement, and a history of success and accomplishment in leadership positions both inside and outside of the military.
I served over 22 years as a Naval Flight Officer, flying in the backseat of Navy Fighters. I commanded a Navy Fighter Squadron, and served as an instructor at TOPGUN, the Navy Fighter Weapons School.
Most recently, I served in the Pentagon as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's legislative liaison to the Senate Armed Services Committee. Before that, I was a Special Assistant to the Chairman, the most nation's most senior military officer. In other words, from 2004-2006, I had a front row seat to what was going wrong in Iraq, the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill, and vowed to do what it takes to help fix those institutions and help end our involvement in the civil war in Iraq. I traveled back to Iraq twice, and to Afghanistan once, and my combined experiences on the Hill and in the Pentagon cemented my opinion that the best way I could help our nation fix its myriad problems was to turn down my selection to Captain in the U.S. Navy and go to Capitol Hill.
I fought in the Iraq War and was one of a select few U.S. Naval aviators/flight officers who were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with "V" for valor in combat. As a flyer who deployed from 1986-2003 on aircraft carriers, I've been personally involved in just about every U.S. conflict in the last twenty years.
I spent a productive and educational tour in John McCain's Capitol Hill office in 1999-2000 as a non-partisan Navy legislative fellow. I was instrumental in getting several of his initiatives into law, including "TRICARE for Life" a landmark retiree health care benefit that has improved the lives of countless military retirees. I also helped guide a pay raise for mid-career enlisted servicemembers from concept to law, putting a well-deserved pay raise in the pockets of the folks that arguably work the hardest in the military. I was recognized by military organizations for my work on these and other successes. I learned how the Hill works, proved that I can work well with others on both sides of the aisle, and succeed in that environment. I will be comfortable in returning to Capitol Hill to improve the lives of all Americans on a variety of pressing issues.
Here is a very brief snapshot of where I stand on a few issues:
-- We need to immediately begin a smart, phased withdrawal of our forces out of Iraq
-- We need to ensure all Americans have access to health care
-- We need to fix our broken immigration policy
-- Our district has enormous transportation challenges that will need to be solved
-- No Child Left Behind is in need of serious reform
-- And we need a return to fiscal responsibility in the U.S. Government
I also understand local issues very well. Recently, I was elected to the presidency of our large citizens' association in my neighborhood in Fairfax County, VA. I represent the issues of our community of over 1600 homes, and recently I've had to deal with issues ranging from a serious fuel spill at one end of the spectrum, and lost pets and painting crosswalks at the other. My time as the president, and formerly the vice-president and co-chair of the membership committee of that organization has given me great insight into the needs of the people in my area.
I was appointed to and served or have served on three Fairfax County boards. One deals with the environment, one on the future of Tysons' Corner (a large mixed-use area that is the economic engine of the county) and another board that raises bonds for building hospitals. I'm a member of the Fairfax County Democratic Party and am actively involved in getting Democrats elected in Virginia in 2007.
I have a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and have an M.A. in National Security Studies from Georgetown's School of Foreign Service, where I studied for a term at Oxford University. I have a certificate in Legislative Studies from Georgetown, and have attended other educational programs and fellowships sponsored by MIT, the Naval War College and UVA.
During the Clinton administration, I was a national finalist for the White House Fellowhip program, and I have volunteered in a numerous organizations ranging from Susan Komen's National Race for the Cure in DC to building homes for Habitat for Humanity in California.
I've been married to a wonderful woman (who is smarter than me) for the past 17 years. She has been a fantastic supporter of my dreams, and has very capably "ran the show" while I and my squadronmates were on long deployments overseas. I couldn't have achieved any of this without her hard work and support. We are also the proud parents of a wonderful young lady and young man who attend public schools in Fairfax County.
In summary, I'm here to help and I'm going to need your help too. I have a great group of staff that are coming together to launch this journey and I appreciate the kind words from bloggers who I've met online and in person. Let's rejoice in our common passion to elect great Democrats who will work hard to improve our communities and our nation. I look forward to your comments and critiques.
Thanks,
Doug Denneny
www.dougforcongress.org