There are a number of Iraq veterans throwing their hats into the political wing. In Ohio, we have Paul Hackett, candidate for U.S. Senate. His candidacy has attracted a lot of attention and press. In Illinois, Tammy Duckworth, is running as a Democrat for the seat being vacated by Henry Hyde. Her story is very inspirational. After spending 13 months in rehab, her spunky attitude has her ready to work on real problems. In the New York Times, Duckworth said, "I'm not going to get my legs back, and that's fine, but if that gives me a platform to talk about the things that are important to me, like education and jobs, that's great."
Mary Jo Kilroy, Democratic candidate for Ohio's 15 district, shows that she is willing to work on creative ways to help find more affordable housing. The plan will help generate $6 million. Check here for the story.
Paul Hackett got a big endorsement:
.Ohio's largest labor union endorsed Paul Hackett on Friday, choosing the political newcomer over recognized labor champion Rep. Sherrod Brown in the Democratic primary.
.The United Auto Workers said its 17 area councils and 10 at-large representatives had voted 26-1 for Hackett, two days after the Cleveland AFL-CIO voted to continue its long-standing practice of backing Brown.
.UAW Ohio President Lloyd Mahaffey said his union, which is affiliated with AFL-CIO nationally but not on the state level, wasn't rejecting Brown as much as it felt Hackett has a better chance of gaining Republican and independent support to win against incumbent Republican Sen. Mike DeWine.
.He said Hackett, an Iraq war veteran, showed he had the charisma and crossover appeal when he got 48 percent of the vote in a special congressional election this summer, in one of the most conservative districts in the country.