Patriot News Ticker

Matt Bevin grew up in a financially humble home, built on a bedrock of strong Christian values, and was encouraged by his parents to pursue the American Dream. He is running for the U.S. Senate because he believes that the chance for future generations to achieve their own American Dream is in danger of being destroyed by elite politicians out of touch with the hardworking, independent-minded taxpayers that make our country great.

He attended Washington and Lee University in Virginia with a four-year ROTC scholarship. He also worked 20-25 hours each week in the dining hall and at campus events to earn extra money. Upon graduation in 1989, Matt was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army, ultimately rising to the rank of Captain. He spent four years on active duty with primary responsibilities as the 5th Mechanized Infantry Division Artillery's counterfire officer.

Since his election to Congress, Dr. Broun continues to practice medicine in his role as a medical officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves. Deployed to Afghanistan in 2012, Lt. Commander Broun treated sick and wounded Marines and soldiers. As a military doctor he treats patients in the Navy Health Clinic at Marine Base Quantico and at the Brigade Medical Center at the U.S. Naval Academy.

At age 18, he volunteered to serve our nation as a U.S. Marine. He was later commissioned as a medical officer in the U.S. Navy. Today he continues to serve America as a Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves. In 2012, Paul was deployed to Afghanistan where he treated sick and injured Marines and soldiers. As a physican-Congressman, Dr. Broun is deeply devoted to quality medical care for our Wounded Warriors and Veterans here at home.

A graduate of The Citadel, Bill Connor served over a decade as a Regular Army Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army. After leaving active duty to become a reservist, Bill earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina. As an attorney, Bill has earned an "AV Preeminent" rating, the highest peer evaluation rating of ethics and ability for an attorney practicing law in the United States.

The tragic attacks of September 11, 2001 occurred during Tom's final year of law school, and he began to reconsider his future plans. He ultimately left law after clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals and short time in a private law practice to join the United States Army. Tom declined a commission as a JAG attorney and opted to serve as an Infantry Officer.

Tom Cotton served almost five years as an active duty Infantry Officer and completed combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In Iraq Tom served with the 101st Airborne where he led an infantry platoon in daily combat patrols. While in Afghanistan he served as the operations officer for a Provincial Reconstruction Team. Between his two combat tours he served as a platoon leader with the Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery, the unit responsible for military honors funerals. Tom's military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and Ranger Tab.

After leaving active duty Tom worked as a management consultant for McKinsey & Co. He represents Arkansas's fourth district in the United States House of Representatives.

Rob Maness' life has been one of dedicated service to the Nation. The third son of Master Sergeant Billy and Lennie Maness, Rob and his three brothers grew up moving around the country and the world as their Dad served in the United States Air Force. Rob experienced many cultures, and came to realize how blessed he was to be an American. In this he came to understand why our individual rights must be protected.

Rob made the decision as a 17 year old high school senior to enlist in the Air Force and served in the midst of the Iranian hostage crisis. He worked his way up from the enlisted ranks to full colonel and retired from active duty in 2011, ending his military service of more than 32 years. Rob and Candy came back to Louisiana to continue raising their family where he had spent much of his military career. He currently works in the utility industry as a director and resides in Madisonville, Louisiana.

Rob has proven his competence at the local, state, and federal levels of government with his demonstrated leadership and effectiveness as a steward of citizens' tax dollars. He has gained a unique insight into government through his broad experience in concerns to the national budget process and through his direct executive oversight of local schools in coordination with elected school boards, where he worked to make them secure and more effective in order to meet the needs of America's military children. His leadership and combat experience, gleaned from over 30 years of military service, provides Maness with a invaluable perspective when considering national actions and their resulting impacts on our country's families.

Duncan is a native of San Diego, graduating from Granite Hills High School in El Cajon before going on to San Diego State University, where he earned a degree in Business Administration. Soon after graduation, Duncan began working full time as a Business Analyst, utilizing his degree and his experience creating websites and programming databases, while a student at San Diego State University.

In November 2008, Duncan was elected to his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Now joined in Congress by a growing list of distinguished military veterans, he remains the first and only Member of Congress to serve in a direct combat role in both Iraq and Afghanistan with the Marine Corps.

Duncan is a strong conservative whose priorities include a strong national defense; enhanced border security, fiscal accountability and transparency, and protecting taxpayer interests. He currently serves as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, as well as a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and the House Education and the Workforce Committee.

Besides being a Navy Captain-Select in the U.S. Navy, Duane Sand is also an entrepreneur serving as President of a small company that builds hotels, restaurants and apartment buildings.

After returning from the Iraq War, he formed an alliance with Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and North Dakota Governor, Ed Shafer in 2006 and together they conducted town hall meetings to help educate and inform people about the out of control spending going on in North Dakota and in Washington. He also started the first North Dakota chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a national group dedicated to restoring individual freedom and self reliance to America. This all happened long before the national Tea Party movement began.

A tireless worker, with a “never give up” attitude, Duane Sand, the ultimate family man, is poised to lead America back to the greatness she once knew. He makes no apologies for wanting to serve America, after all, that’s what he’s spend the better part of his life doing.

Retired Top-Gun fighter pilot, Navy commander, accountability in government advocate, inventor and family man are only a few titles that encompass the character of Dan “Doc” Severson.

In 2002, he served four terms in the House of Representatives, the last term as Minority Whip. Doc relentlessly advocated for the people of Minnesota through reforming tort litigation, veteran education and employment benefits and judicial accountability through state statue. He also conducted an investigation into and scrutinized voter fraud allegations which lead to a state wide race in 2010.

In 2000, Doc contributed to society and helped develop a patent using light emitting diodes that deals with free space communication. Ten years later, he ran for the Secretary of State against an incumbent and narrowly lost the race. However, he has fought before on behalf of America and in the 2012 race he is once again ready to fight for the beliefs and values American’s hold so dear.

David Bellavia, 36, grew up in Western New York. He and his wife have been blessed with three children and they live in Batavia - the heart of the 27th Congressional District. David is a recognized authority on the Middle East, terrorism, foreign policy, and veterans' affairs. He has appeared as an expert commentator on Fox News, CNN and other major national news outlets. He is also the critically acclaimed author of the book "House to House," a personal account of his combat service in Iraq.

David enlisted in the United States Army in July 1999, served for six years and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. He led a squad of men in combat.

David is a highly decorated veteran of the Iraq War and one of the most decorated veterans of his generation. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the Second Battle of Fallujah and received the Bronze Star and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross.

David was also nominated for the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross. In 2005, he was inducted into the New York Veterans Hall of Fame. Since his active duty military service, David has served in non-profit organization management. He cofounded Vets for Freedom, a veterans service organization devoted to achieving bipartisan support of the United States' national security and the defense of its citizenry. Today, Vets for Freedom is one of the largest global war on terror veteran's organizations in America.

"I don't need to tell you why I'm running for Congress. One look at your own bank account tells you what you need to know. You know the terrible state we are in and the urgency of fresh conservative leadership to retake the house in November. You know I'm running to promote job creation and stimulate the economy by reducing government spending and taxes; you know I'll protect the homeland - I have the scars to prove that; and you know I'll preserve our conservative values - values that are under liberal attack every day."

Ilario G. Pantano is a former United States Marine Corps non-commissioned officer and second lieutenant and a best-selling author who has worked professionally in both global markets and small business. He has also been a television commentator and served as a deputy sheriff in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Pantano came to national prominence when, after months of insurgent violence triggered by the infamous ambush and grisly hanging of Americans in Fallujah, Iraq (2004), he was falsely accused in the killing two Iraqi insurgents during a unit mission near Fallujah on April 15. An article 32 hearing found no credible evidence or testimony for the accusation, and declined to prosecute Pantano, dropping all charges. Shortly thereafter, Pantano resigned his officer's commission and was honorably discharged. These events, and his other experiences as a combat Marine during the Persian Gulf War and in Iraq in 2004 are the subject of his successful memoir, Warlord: No Better Friend,
No Worse Enemy.