Democrats seek Republican seats using veterans upset over Iran war

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 05:32 · Archive

Democrats are running veteran candidates in Republican districts, betting that anger over a war with Iran will help them gain House seats.

Democrats are running veteran candidates in several Republican strongholds, betting that anger over a war with Iran and turmoil in the armed forces will help them gain House seats. Veteran Jessica Killin is challenging Republican Rep. Jeff Crank in Colorado's 5th Congressional District, a conservative area home to five military facilities including NORAD, Fort Carson and the Air Force Academy.

The district is heavily veteran-populated, with nearly one in nine residents having served in the military, making it one of the most veteran-dense seats in the country. Trump won the district by 9 percentage points two years ago. Democrats say the district is a longshot but have invested campaign funds here for the first time in years. Veteran candidates from the Democratic party are also running in Florida, South Carolina and Virginia districts with significant veteran populations.

Retired Air Force Col. Lou Christensen, a registered Republican and 28-year veteran, is backing Killin. Christensen said 'the legislative branch needs to put up guardrails from President Trump' and 'we need another branch of government that stands up and says, Uh, boss, that's not constitutional.' Though veterans hold diverse political views, the population overall leans Republican, with nearly 6 in 10 voting for Trump two years ago according to AP VoteCast.

How it is being reported

• With anger spreading over Iran war, Democrats hope to flip Republican seats with veterans' helpVeteran Jessica Killin is challenging first-term Republican Rep. Jeff Crank in Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, a conservative stronghold that includes five military facilities.News4Jax · 15 Oct, 05:02
• With anger spreading over Iran war, Democrats hope to flip Republican seats with veterans' helpVeteran Jessica Killin is challenging first-term Republican Rep. Jeff Crank in Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, a conservative stronghold that includes five military facilities.Clickorlando · 15 Oct, 05:02

In this story: Jessica Killin · Jeff Crank · Lou Christensen · Donald Trump · Colorado's 5th Congressional District · Democratic Party · Fort Carson · Air Force Academy

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