Today Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (formerly Operation Truth) announced their first round of
endorsements. IAVA decided to endorse seven congressional fighting democrats (apologies to those who are offended by this term, but for the moment, please get over it because this is great news for these candidates). They are as follows...
note: i've cribbed most of these brief bios from both my original fighting dems diary. however, some of these candidates weren't declared at the time, so for them i've cribbed the brief bios from the IAVA press release
Andrew Duck, MD-06: Duck's distinguished military career has found him as a Platoon Leader of the Joint STARS Platoon in Bosnia, Chief of a Counter-Intelligence Operations Cell, a Commander, and later an Intelligence Liaison Officer and Intelligence Staff Officer in Iraq. Duck is a native of Maryland, one of seventeen children, and has ample business and community experience supplementing his military background. bio :: issues :: donate
Tammy Duckworth, IL-06 Before Duckworth's service in Iraq as a Blackhawk pilot (where she lost and arm and both of her legs), she studied International Relations and worked for Rotary International. She was pursuing a PhD in Political Science before her deployment to Iraq. She is charismatic and has the policy credibility to match her service record and make her a truly viable candidate in a race that Stuart Rothenberg named as one of his "Dangerous Dozen" Open House Seats. Rep. Henry Hyde, who is retiring, won just 56% of the vote in 2004 but had to outspend his opponent 3-to-1. In the 2004 Presidential, President Bush held the district with only 53% of the vote. bio :: issues :: donate
Tim Dunn, NC-08: Colonel Tim Dunn has served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves since 1994. He recently returned from Iraq and his posting with the Regime Crimes Liaison Office, where he helped build the case against Saddam Hussein. In 1995, Dunn established his own law firm, which concentrates in criminal and military law. The mission in Iraq will need expertise and experience to see it through to the best possible conclusion, and Tim Dunn can bring a strong dose of both to the "People's House." bio :: issues :: donate
David Harris, TX-06: Harris enlisted in the Army in 1992 and served in the infantry, receiving his commission as an Infantry Officer after attending Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA in 1994. He was mobilized for Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and was deployed to Iraq in February, 2003, spending the next 14 months there as a Logistics Officer where he received a Bronze Star. He is now an Assistant Professor of Military Science and Training Officer for the Department of Military Science at the University of Texas at Arlington, and is taking on powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair "Smoky" Joe Barton. bio :: issues :: donate
Andrew Horne, KY-03: Andrew Horne served in both Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, rising from the rank of private to Lt. Colonel during his 27 yr. career in the Marines. He is in the Reserves and has a private law practice. Horne will challenge the Republican incumbent Congresswoman in the general election. In the 2004 Presidential, Senator John Kerry won the district with 51% of the vote, as Vice President Gore had in 2000 with 50%. bio :: donate
Patrick Murphy, PA-08: Murphy is a young attorney who served in Iraq and was awarded the Bronze Star in February 2004. In Iraq, Captain Murphy advised on offensive operations, initiated reconstruction efforts within the justice system, trained the new Iraqi Civil Defense Corps on the rules of engagement and was instrumental in the prosecution of Sheik Moyad, a radical lieutenant of Muqtada Sadr. At a time when even journalists are having trouble getting the real facts about the war in Iraq, Murphy's knowledge is invaluable. bio :: issues :: donate
Joe Sestak, PA-7: Joe Sestak has a resume that offers the perfect challenge to the incumbent. Sestak holds a PhD in Political Economy from Harvard and rose to the grade of Vice Admiral and served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Requirements and Programs (N6/N7) and represented the Navy to the White House, Congress and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He also served as Battle Group Commander for a fleet of 30 allied ships and 15,000 troops engaged in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 7th District went for Senator John Kerry by 53% in 2004 and for Vice President Gore with 51% in 2000. The incumbent has seen his percentage slip from 66% in 2002 to 59% in 2004. In 2004 he outspent his opponent $678k to $23k. the incumbent is weak on fundraising, having only $266k on hand, the least of any incumbent IAVA PAC's endorsed candidates are facing. bio :: issues (visit his website - no permalink URL available for copying) :: donate
I urge everyone to go read the IAVA press release and check out each of these dynamic candidates. Some are quite well known around this site, while others might be new to you. Each fit the criteria established by IAVA for endorsement. I'm particularly excited because the Fighting Dem from my district, David Harris, made the cut. I can personally vouch for Dave and let the Dkos community know that he supports a redeployment of our troops, equal rights, and universal health care. He's running a very strong campaign locally. We've got the grassroots on our side and a starting base of 40% in a district that is trending democratic. With your help, we can win. Thanks for reading!
(x-posted at annatopia)
woops! corrected the picture for sestak - sorry! and thanks SB for pointing that out
