Democrats Enlist Vets in Congressional Campaign

At least six Iraq War veterans are running as Democrats for Congress in the 2006 elections.

Paul Hackett, who lost a close race to Republican Jean Schmidt in a strongly GOP Ohio district earlier this year is running for the US Senate seat currently held by Sen Mike DeWine (R-OH).

"Some guys don't think it's time to question our government, but the fact is I love my country. We need to have an exit strategy now." -- Democratic House Candidate Patrick Murphy, Iraq Veteran (82nd Airborne)

Candidate Bryan Lentz (D) is a Swarthmore, Pennsylvania lawyer. He was a Major in the Army Reserve in Iraq. He volunteered to go with a civil affairs unit. He says he decided to run for office because he saw the US government lacking any plan in Iraq.

"I'm not anti-war, I'm anti-failure." -- Democratic Congressional Candidate Bryan Lentz, Iraq War Veteran

Major Lentz is trying to unseat Rep Curt Weldon (R-PA). Rep Weldon is vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. (WashPost)