Fighting Dems
Encyclopedia
The Fighting Dems is a nickname given to more than 60 military veterans who ran for Congress as Democrats
in the United States' 2006 congressional elections. Five of these candidates were elected to the House of Representatives and one was elected to the Senate. The term Fighting Dem can be applied to all non-incumbent military veterans running for Congress in 2006 as Democrats.
Other generic names have been used. Mother Jones
refers to the group as "The Capitol Brigade". The Draft Zinni
campaign describes them as the "Security Dems" and part of the "Blue Force".
for a strategy session and voted on a name for their coalition: Veterans for a Secure America. On February 8, 2006, nearly 40 of them met again in Washington to gather outside of the U.S. Capitol. The event was led by former Senator Max Cleland
of Georgia, a Vietnam
veteran who with the rest of the veterans chartered the Veterans for a Secure America (VSA). To date the VSA is the only organized group of Fighting Dems though not all Fighting Dems are part of the VSA.
made the weekly Democratic radio address blasting George W. Bush
saying "Instead of a plan or a strategy, we get shallow slogans like 'mission accomplished' and 'stay the course,'" but "Those slogans are calculated to win an election. But they won't help us accomplish our mission in Iraq" She explained that the United States needs "a Congress that will ask the tough questions and work together for solutions rather than attacking the patriotism of those who disagree". Further she said, "It is time to encourage Iraqi leaders to take control of their own country and make the tough choices that will stop the civil war and stabilize the country."
, Speaker-of-the-House-elect Nancy Pelosi
came out and addressed the crowd;
The challengers in the House
who managed to defeat their incumbents were Chris Carney
(PA-10), Patrick Murphy
(PA-08), Joe Sestak (PA-07), and Tim Walz
(MN-01). Additionally, Phil Hare
(IL-17
) was elected to succeed fellow Democrat Lane Evans
. In the Senate
, Jim Webb
(VA) was elected. A post-election analysis revealed that while the Democratic veteran candidates were the most salient in 2006, Republican veteran candidates enjoyed higher vote shares that year on average.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
in the United States' 2006 congressional elections. Five of these candidates were elected to the House of Representatives and one was elected to the Senate. The term Fighting Dem can be applied to all non-incumbent military veterans running for Congress in 2006 as Democrats.
Other generic names have been used. Mother Jones
Mother Jones (magazine)
Mother Jones is an American independent news organization, featuring investigative and breaking news reporting on politics, the environment, human rights, and culture. Mother Jones has been nominated for 23 National Magazine Awards and has won six times, including for General Excellence in 2001,...
refers to the group as "The Capitol Brigade". The Draft Zinni
Anthony Zinni
Anthony Charles Zinni is a retired four-star General in the United States Marine Corps and a former Commander in Chief of U.S. Central Command...
campaign describes them as the "Security Dems" and part of the "Blue Force".
Veterans for a Secure America
On December 20, 2005, a group of Fighting Dems met in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
for a strategy session and voted on a name for their coalition: Veterans for a Secure America. On February 8, 2006, nearly 40 of them met again in Washington to gather outside of the U.S. Capitol. The event was led by former Senator Max Cleland
Max Cleland
Joseph Maxwell Cleland is an American politician from Georgia. Cleland, a Democrat, is a disabled US Army veteran of the Vietnam War, a recipient of the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for valorous action in combat, and a former U.S. Senator...
of Georgia, a Vietnam
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
veteran who with the rest of the veterans chartered the Veterans for a Secure America (VSA). To date the VSA is the only organized group of Fighting Dems though not all Fighting Dems are part of the VSA.
Philosophy
On October 1, 2006, Army Major and congressional candidate Tammy DuckworthTammy Duckworth
Ladda Tammy Duckworth was formerly Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and formerly the director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. Duckworth is an Iraq War veteran and former U.S...
made the weekly Democratic radio address blasting George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
saying "Instead of a plan or a strategy, we get shallow slogans like 'mission accomplished' and 'stay the course,'" but "Those slogans are calculated to win an election. But they won't help us accomplish our mission in Iraq" She explained that the United States needs "a Congress that will ask the tough questions and work together for solutions rather than attacking the patriotism of those who disagree". Further she said, "It is time to encourage Iraqi leaders to take control of their own country and make the tough choices that will stop the civil war and stabilize the country."
House races
Candidates, followed by state abbreviation and district number- Woodrow Anderson III, AR-03. Primary winner.
- Ted Ankrum, TX-10. Primary winner.
- Dick AumanDick AumanDick Auman is the Democratic Party candidate for the Illinois 16th Congressional District seat in the United States House of Representatives in the 2006 elections. He served two-terms as Mayor of Galena, Illinois from 1997 to 2005.-Biography:...
, IL-16. Primary winner. - Phil Avillo, PA-19. Primary winner.
- Lee Ballenger, SC-03 http://www.voteballenger.com/
- Rick Bolanos, TX-23. Primary winner.
- Bob Bowman, FL-15. Primary winner.
- Jim BrandtJim BrandtJim Brandt is a Californian who has run for Congress twice in the 46th District. Brandt served as an aviator during the Vietnam War, as a Captain. He later founded and was CEO of Pyramid Software, a company that developed and distributed software. He currently serves as practice manager with a...
, CA-46. Primary winner. - Charles BrownCharles Brown (California)Charles Duane 'Charlie' Brown is a retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel and was the Democratic nominee for Congress in the 2006 election and the 2008 election for California's 4th congressional district.-Life and career:...
, CA-04. Primary winner. - Dave BruderlyDave BruderlyDave Bruderly, an environmental engineering consultant who ran and lost against incumbent, Cliff Stearns , for Florida's 6th congressional district seat see Florida U.S. House election, 2006. He is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Marine Engineering and of Columbia...
, FL-06 Primary winner. - Duane BurghardDuane BurghardDuane Burghard is an American businessman, veteran and politician. Born in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois on July 5th, 1965, Burghard spent the first 11 years of his life in the nearby town of Glenview, Illinois. He was the oldest of three children...
MO-09. Primary winner. - Chris CarneyChris CarneyChristopher P. "Chris" Carney is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2007 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party and was a prominent member of the conservative Blue Dog Coalition....
, PA-10. General election winner - Jack Chagnon, FL-07.. Primary winner.
- John Courage, TX-21. Primary winner.
- Jack DavisJack Davis (industrialist)John "Jack" Davis is an American industrialist and politician from Newstead, New York. He made his fourth bid for New York's 26th congressional district seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in the special election held on May 24, 2011. The election was held to fill the seat vacated by...
NY-26. Unopposed Primary - Dan DoddDan DoddDan Dodd is a former Democratic member of the Ohio House of Representatives who represented the 91st District from 2007 to 2010. A lawyer by trade, Dodd practiced with Robert J. Dodd, Jr. Co. LPA in New Lexington, Ohio...
, TX-03. Primary winner. - Andrew Duck, MD-06. Primary winner.
- Tammy DuckworthTammy DuckworthLadda Tammy Duckworth was formerly Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and formerly the director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. Duckworth is an Iraq War veteran and former U.S...
, IL-06Illinois' 6th congressional districtThe 6th congressional district of Illinois includes parts of DuPage and Cook counties, and has been represented by Republican Peter Roskam since January 2007.-Voting:-List of representatives:-References:* -External links:**...
. Primary winner. - Bill Durston, CA-03. Primary winner.
- Jay Fawcett, CO-05. Primary winner.
- William Griffith, SC-04. Primary winner.
- David Harris, TX-06. Primary winner.
- Tom HayhurstTom HayhurstThomas Eldon Hayhurst is a former city council member from Fort Wayne, Indiana. He unsuccessfully sought Indiana's 3rd District Congressional seat as the Democratic nominee in 2006 and 2010.-Background:...
, IN-03. Primary winner. - Doctor Robert J. Johnson, NY-23 Unopposed Primary
- John Laesch, IL-14. Primary winner.
- Jim Marcinkowski, MI-08. Primary winner.
- Eric MassaEric Massa-March to the Primaries:Freshman incumbent Randy Kuhl had been elected to Congress with slightly over 50% of the popular vote in a three way race in 2004. In early 2005, former U.S. Naval officer Eric J.J. Massa, a long-time friend of 2004 presidential candidate General Wesley Clark filed to run...
, NY-29 Unopposed Primary - Patrick MurphyPatrick Murphy (politician)Patrick Joseph Murphy is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2007 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
, PA-08. General election winner - Jim Nelson, GA-01. Primary winner.
- Dave Patlak, FL-18th. Primary winner.
- John Rinaldi, CA-52. Primary winner.
- Joe RobertsJoe RobertsJoe Roberts was an American comic actor, most notably in Buster Keaton's silent short films of the 1920s....
, FL-1 . Primary winner.http://www.joeroberts.us/ - Doctor Arjinderpal Sekhon CA-02. Primary winner.http://www.sekhon4uscongress.com
- Joe Sestak, PA-07. General election winner.
- Rich Sexton, NJ-03. Primary winner.
- Bob ShamanskyBob ShamanskyRobert Norton Shamansky was an American Democratic politician and attorney from the state of Ohio. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives for a single term from 1981 until 1983.-Early Life:...
, OH-12. Primary winner. - Richard Siferd, OH-04. Primary winner.
- Dennis Spivack, DE-01. Primary winner.
- Charlie ThompsonCharlie ThompsonCharlie Thompson was an English footballer. He played in the positions of centre half and centre forward.Born Charles Maskery Thompson in Chesterfield, he played for Bolsover Colliery and later had two seasons at Sheffield United...
, TX-05. Primary winner. - Tim WalzTim WalzTimothy James Walz is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party .The district comprises the state's southern end, running along the entire border with Iowa...
, MN-01 General election winner - Steve Waterworth IL-18. Primary winner.
- Roger Waun, TX-13. Primary winner.
- Mike WeaverMike Weaver (politician)Mike Weaver is a politician and retired military officer from the U.S. state of Kentucky. He has served as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives since 1996, representing the 26th District. Weaver, a member of the Democratic Party....
, KY-02. Primary winner. - Craig Weber, NC-03. Primary winner.
- George D. WeberGeorge D. WeberGeorge "Boots" Weber is an American politician from Missouri. He was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee to represent the 2nd congressional district in 2004 and 2006, losing to incumbent Todd Akin both times. In 1998, he was the Reform Party nominee for State Auditor, losing the race to Democrat...
(MO-02) website. Primary winner. - Al WeedAl WeedAlbert Charles Weed II is a Virginia winemaker, businessman, and Democrat. Weed was the Democratic nominee for election to Virginia's Fifth Congressional District seat, in both 2004 and 2006, running against Republican incumbent Virgil Goode. In 2004, Weed lost 64% to 36%; Goode once again defeated...
, VA-05 See: Virginia U.S. House election, 2006Virginia U.S. House election, 2006The 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia were held on November 4, 2006 to determine who will represent the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States House of Representatives. Virginia has eleven seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States... - Bill Winter, CO-06. Primary winner.
Senate races
- Jim WebbJim WebbJames Henry "Jim" Webb, Jr. is the senior United States Senator from Virginia. He is also an author and a former Secretary of the Navy. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
, Decorated Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
Combat Veteran , Marine, and former Secretary of the Navy who won the VirginiaVirginiaThe Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
senate race. - Jack CarterJack Carter (politician)John William "Jack" Carter, , is an American businessman and politician who unsuccessfully ran for the United States Senate in Nevada in 2006. Carter is the eldest child of former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter....
Navy Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
Veteran ran unsuccessfully for Senate in NevadaNevadaNevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
. Primary winner.
2006 results
Around 9:20 p.m. on Election DayUnited States general elections, 2006
The 2006 United States midterm elections were held on Tuesday, November 7, 2006. All United States House of Representatives seats and one third of the United States Senate seats were contested in this election, as well as 36 state governorships, many state legislatures, four territorial...
, Speaker-of-the-House-elect Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro Pelosi is the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives and served as the 60th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011...
came out and addressed the crowd;
The challengers in the House
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
who managed to defeat their incumbents were Chris Carney
Chris Carney
Christopher P. "Chris" Carney is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2007 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party and was a prominent member of the conservative Blue Dog Coalition....
(PA-10), Patrick Murphy
Patrick Murphy (politician)
Patrick Joseph Murphy is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2007 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
(PA-08), Joe Sestak (PA-07), and Tim Walz
Tim Walz
Timothy James Walz is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party .The district comprises the state's southern end, running along the entire border with Iowa...
(MN-01). Additionally, Phil Hare
Phil Hare
Philip G. "Phil" Hare is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2007 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
(IL-17
Illinois' 17th congressional district
The 17th Congressional District of Illinois covers much of west central Illinois, including the cities of Sterling, Rock Island, Moline, Kewanee, Galesburg, Canton, Macomb, Quincy, Springfield and Decatur, and areas in Henry, Whiteside, Rock Island, Mercer, Knox, Warren, Henderson, Fulton,...
) was elected to succeed fellow Democrat Lane Evans
Lane Evans
Lane Allen Evans is a former Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1983 until 2007, representing the 17th District of Illinois...
. In the Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, Jim Webb
Jim Webb
James Henry "Jim" Webb, Jr. is the senior United States Senator from Virginia. He is also an author and a former Secretary of the Navy. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
(VA) was elected. A post-election analysis revealed that while the Democratic veteran candidates were the most salient in 2006, Republican veteran candidates enjoyed higher vote shares that year on average.
See also
- Veterans for a Secure America
- The Veterans’ Alliance for Security and Democracy
External links
- DNC Fighting Dems website
- Veterans for a Secure America — main site
- Fighting-Dems.com
- Daily Kos articles
- Times-Union story
- Securing America
- VetPAC political action committeePolitical action committeeIn the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
- Taking the Hill from the Democratic Party
- Profiles of some "Fighting Dems" — from the Air America Site
- Oxford Press (Ohio) article
- named on tv
- http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-06182006-672039.html
- http://www.cookpolitical.com/races/house/default.php