Decorated airman gets jump on 2010 congressional candidacy

Here's a follow up from a story I did last month.

From an Elect Adam Kinzinger to Congress press release:

BLOOMINGTON, IL -- Combat veteran Adam Kinzinger, 30, is one of the first hopefuls in the country to aggressively explore a congressional candidacy in 2010.

In recent days, Kinzinger has traveled across the district and to Washington to lay the groundwork for a run at the seat held by Debbie Halvorson in Illinois’ 11th Congressional District in southwest suburban Chicago extending south to Bloomington.

After one meeting in Washington last week, veteran DC political reporter Stuart Rothenberg of the Rothenberg Political Report said Kinzinger might be the first 2010 candidate interviewed by the respected publication. “Our district and our state is in desperate need of strong, ethical leadership,” Kinzinger said. “I’m encouraged by the positive reaction I’m getting to a possible candidacy and will continue to explore it aggressively.”

Kinzinger, of Bloomington, is among a bright new generation of leaders on the horizon for Republicans in Illinois. He is a pilot in the US Air Force Special Operations command. A captain, he is a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and the nation’s war on drugs.

He was awarded two medals and a “hero of the year” award in 2007 after he saved the life of a woman in Milwaukee who was being attacked by her knife-wielding boyfriend. For that act, he was awarded the Airman’s medal, the highest non-combat award for heroism in the Air Force, the Valley Forge Cross for heroism and the “hero of the year” award by the Southeast Wisconsin chapter of the American Red Cross.

Kinzinger has always been interested in public service. In 1998, while a sophomore at Illinois State University, he became the youngest member in recent history to be elected to the McLean County Board. In that race, he defeated a 12-year incumbent by using a grassroots campaign that brought him close to the residents of his district.

While in Washington last week, Kinzinger met Republican Congressman Pete Sessions (Texas) and Tim Johnson (Illinois) and representatives for Congressmen Mike Pence (Indiana), Mark Kirk (Illinois) and Peter Roskam (Illinois). He met with other important conservative leaders interested in bringing dynamic new leadership to the Republican Party.

As a combat veteran, Kinzinger is an ardent believer in a strong national defense. He was a vocal proponent of the successful “surge” strategy in Iraq. He also believes in low taxes, spending discipline, a strong traditional family and the right to keep and bear arms.

Kinzinger will continue to meet citizens of the 11th Congressional District before leaving in late February for another tour of duty in the Middle East. He will make his decision on whether to formally enter the race after he returns from overseas.

“I take public service and duty to country very seriously,” he said. “I’m humbled and encouraged by the reaction I’m getting to my candidacy and look forward to getting to know every corner of the 11th District.”

Related post:

Cleaning up Blago's trash: Air Force captain considering run for Congress

Technorati tags: Election Democrats Politics Halvorson Blagojevich Republican