Republicans, Democrats Talk About Veterans Running for Office
Voters may notice a surge of military veterans running for office this November. Republicans and Democrats agree serving can give candidates an advantage.
“I would think their point of view might be a better point of view or maybe even a smarter point of view of some things,” said Madeline Marquette, a member of the Arkansas Democratic Party.
“The Republican party is very supportive of the military,” said Rex Terry, chairman of the Sebastian County Republican Committee. “We really try to honor the veterans in a big way.”
Veterans like Democrat Tracy Pennartz and Republican Tom Cotton are running for office in our area. Cotton runs commercials touting his military credentials. Pennartz lists her military background on her website.
“I don’t think they have to be a veteran to serve and honor the other veterans,” said Marquette.
“I think the fact that they’re loyal enough to put on the uniform and gone through the discipline required to do that probably does, those are values I think Americans traditionally have honored,” said Terry.
Both parties agree being a military veteran can help some serving in office. Democrats and Republicans also agree a person’s military service should not be the only thing people look at when choosing a candidate.
5NEWS asked Republicans and Democrats if it helps campaigns that have a veteran running for office in Arkansas.
“I think it will because we have so many people who are serving and so many families who have people that are serving right now,” said Marquette.
“It probably does help to be a veteran and I think people like to vote for veterans, everything else being equal,” said Terry.
Both parties say they support veterans.
Democrat Gene Jeffress, Libertarian Bobby Tullis, and Green Party candidate J. Joshua Drake are running against Republican Tom Cotton for the U.S. Congressional District 4 seat.
Democrat Tracy Pennartz is running against Republican Bruce Holland for the Arkansas State District 9 Senate seat.
