[promoted from the diaries by haystack…excellent work pilgrim, and thanks for highlighting something far too few of us know enough about or pay enough attention to. I like our chances with folks like these fighting for us in DC…]

President Obama

A Republican majority in Congress would mean “hand-to-hand combat” on Capitol Hill for the next two years, threatening policies Democrats have enacted to stabilize the economy.

If the Republican majority includes the nominees I have listed with photos below, then you just might want to walk back your words. You have only been acquainted with establishment GOP congressmen like Cantor and Lindsey Graham, and you are factually incorrect to think the new GOP members of Congress want to return to the Hastert and Frist type of Republican ideas of what is the right course for our nation.

The nominees I have listed are all proud of their service as military veterans. I only listed the ones who are in a close contest, and the congressional districts are slightly D partisan, (D+1 to D+5). I understand there are other GOP nominees with military service, and I mean no disparagement by not adding them to my list. Some of the ones you are already familiar with, and others have not been mentioned as frequently as I think they should.


D+1 US House Districts

  FL-22 Allen West vs Ron Klein
In his Army career, Col. West has been honored many times, including a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals (one with Valor), and a Valorous Unit Award. He received his valor award as a Captain in Desert Shield/Storm, was the US Army ROTC Instructor of the Year in 1993, and was a Distinguished Honor Graduate III Corps Assault School. He proudly wears the Army Master parachutist badge, Air Assault badge, Navy/Marine Corps parachutist insignia, Italian parachutist wings, and German proficiency badge (Bronze award).

  OH-15 Steve Stivers vs Mary Jo Kilroy
Steve Stivers holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and is proud to have served our nation oversees for nearly a year as a Battalion Commander in a combat zone during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar and Djibouti. While deployed, Lieutenant Colonel Stivers led 400 soldiers and contractors and is proud that each and every individual returned safely home following their mission. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his accomplishments and leadership during the deployment.

D+2 US House Districts

  KY-3 Todd Lally vs John Yarmuth
Todd Lally is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Kentucky Air National Guard and a pilot on the C-130 Hercules. Having served in the military for 22 years, he is a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. He is graduate of the Academy of Military Science and the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center and the Air-Operations Officer for the 123rd Contingency Response Group, a rapidly deployable force that can open and conduct airlift missions out of remote or damaged airfields. This group is the first Air Force personnel to arrive at a location to survey the airfield and perform combat or humanitarian operations. Lally is the recipient of two Air Medals. The first medal was for flying 50 missions into war torn Bosnia supplying the civilian population with food and medicine. The second medal was for saving a Seattle man’s life in the Atlantic Ocean. He also is a crash investigator for the U.S. Air Force.

  MI-9 Rocky Raczkowski vs Gary Peters
Major Rocky Raczkowski enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves at the age of 17, serving four years as an infantryman and reaching the rank of Sergeant. In 1990, Rocky attended Officer Candidate School, becoming a 2nd Lieutenant in the infantry. He has served in many leadership and command positions. As a Paratrooper and a Pathfinder, Rocky understands courage, strength and discipline. Rocky’s 24 years of military service includes many awards, achievements and outstanding evaluations from his superiors. After serving in the Horn of Africa as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Rocky completed his tour and returned home in September 2009.

  NV-3 Dr Joe Heck vs Dina Titus
Called to active duty in 1996 in support of Operation Joint Endeavor and 2003 in support of Operation Noble Eagle, Joe continues to serve in the United States Army Reserve having recently returned from a deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He currently holds the rank of Colonel and commands a U.S. Army Hospital. In July 2006 he graduated from the prestigious U.S. Army War College, earning a Masters of Strategic Studies.

D+3 US House Districts

  ME-2 Jason Levesque vs Michael Michaud
Jason Levesque served in the First Infantry Division and earned the highly-prized Expert Infantry designation. His leadership abilities were first noticed by superior officers who elevated him in rank and responsibilities as an Infantry Team Leader. Upon discharge, he served six years in the U.S. Army Reserves, including several extended tours of duty as a Drill Sergeant at Fort Leonard Woods, MO.

  MN-8 Chip Cravaack vs Jim Oberstar
In his Navy career, Captain Cravaack has been honored with several awards and citations, including a Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals, and a Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation. Captain Cravaack proudly wears Naval Aviator Wings, Navy/Marine Corps Parachutist Wings, and Air Assault Badge as well as being a designated Navy Master Training Specialist.

  TX-15 Eddie Zamora vs Ruben Hinojosa
I proudly served for six years in the United States Navy and I still recommend it for any young person who may not have solid plans yet for their future. I’m most proud of successfully completing and graduating from U.S. Naval Nuclear Power School and S1C Naval Nuclear Prototype Training Unit, as well as Navy Electronics Technician “A” School and BEE-Basic Electricity and Electronics.

D+4 US House Districts

  CO-7 Ryan Frazier vs Ed Perlmutter
Ryan served 5 years in the U.S. Navy, assigned to the National Security Agency, where he played an instrumental role in helping defend our country. He led a team of intelligence analysts and reporters responsible for a high-priority mission critical to national security. It was during his Naval service that he truly learned what service to one’s country means, and it was from this life experience that he embraced the core values of honor, courage, and commitment.

  NY-27 Lenny Roberto vs Brian Higgins
In 1973 Lenny Roberto joined the United States Navy and served six years as an Electronics Technician aboard the USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG-22) during Vietnam and as a member of the commissioning crew of the USS Texas (CGN-39).

  WI-3 Dan Kapanke vs Ron Kind
Dan has a distinguished military record as a member of the United States Marine Corps Reserve and the Wisconsin National Guard.

D+5 US House Districts

  NC-13 Bill Randall vs Brad Miller
High school and Naval Junior ROTC graduation was followed by a distinguished, decorated twenty-seven year Navy career, which included achieving Command Master Chief – the highest “non-commissioned officer” rank. CMC Bill Randall’s military career gave him an expansive education in military and veterans affairs, warfare, preparedness, armaments, climatic, oceanographic and environmental knowledge, mid-east culture and personal contacts.

  WA-9 Dick Muri vs Adam Smith
Dick was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force in 1975. He earned his navigator wings in 1976 and flew the C-141 as a Navigator. Muri served in the Gulf War from 1990-1991 as Deputy Commander of the 628th Military Airlift Support Squadron at Incirlik Airbase, Turkey. From 1992-1997, Muri was Chief of Quality Management for McChord AFB, directing a program that won numerous awards for excellence from the United States Air Force and Washington State. He retired as a Lt. Colonel with 22 years military experience.

Alaska US Senate R+13

  Joe Miller vs Lisa Murkowski & Scott McAdams
Joe Miller served as an officer in the United States Army. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his leadership in combat during the First Gulf War. He received his commission from West Point, where he graduated with honors.

Cross-posted at The Minority Report