Sarvi pledges to fight for a change of course at home and abroad, according to statement.
October 4th, 2007 2:33 pm by DJ DanielsonThis statement was forwarded to my inbox today:
Watertown, MN (October 4, 2007) Iraq war veteran and former Watertown mayor Steve Sarvi filed his campaign committee today with the Federal Election Commission, paving the way for a challenge to three-term Republican United States Representative John Kline. Sarvi said that Minnesotans are ready for a change in course both at home and abroad.
“As a veteran of the Iraq war, I’ve seen first-hand that we need to change strategy in Iraq and change strategy here at home,” said Sarvi, a married father of three school-age children.
“Minnesotans want a representative in Washington who listens to their concerns, knows how to bring people together to solve the many challenges we face at home and abroad, and will fight every day to get things done for our state. I have fought for our nation on many battlefields, and now I’m ready to fight for our district, our state and our nation in Congress,” Sarvi said.
Sarvi, who is the city administrator of the City of Victoria, returned in July after serving 16 months in Iraq, the longest any state’s unit has served in the war. Sarvi stepped aside as mayor in order to volunteer to go to Iraq with the National Guardsmen he trained for deployment. While in Iraq, he worked on civil reconstruction in the war-torn country. Sarvi also previously served a peace-keeping tour of duty in Kosovo in 2004.
“We in the Second District deserve a representative that isn’t afraid to
talk to their constituents, and has real-world experience bringing people together to get things done,” said Charlie Thomas, a resident of Burnsville and supporter of Sarvi. “I’m supporting Steve Sarvi for Congress because we need change, plain and simple, and he’s the person who knows how to make change work.”
Sarvi said his direct war experience influenced his decision to run for Congress, but he added that America needs a new course at home as well, particularly when it comes to ensuring the health and security of our families with good jobs, access to affordable health care and a safe transportation infrastructure.
“The future of our communities, our state and our country directly depend on the choices we make in Washington,” said Sarvi. “Whether I’ve been on the job in Iraq or on the job in our local government, I’ve always put Minnesota values first. In Congress, I will fight for the good jobs, affordable health care and quality transportation we must have in order to change the direction of our state and our country.”
Sarvi noted that given his service in Iraq, his perspective is unique — his strong support for American troops is matched with equally strong dissatisfaction with the president’s failed policies.
“I am very proud to have served my country in Iraq,” said Sarvi. “Our district deserves a representative in Congress who will put the safety of our troops and the well-being of our families ahead of blind party loyalty. I want to provide the new leadership and courage that we need in Congress to change course in Iraq and make our sure our district becomes a safer and fairer place for our families at home.
The Pioneer Press has also picked up on the story:
Democrat and Iraqi war veteran Steve Sarvi today announced his intention to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. John Kline for Congress in 2008.
Sarvi, a former Watertown mayor, had long been talked about as a possible candidate but he has been constrained in his political activity until he was released from his federal military duty.
Like 2,600 other Minnesotans, Sarvi returned from 16 months of combat duty in Iraq this summer.
“Whether I’ve been on the job in Iraq or on the job in our local government, I’ve always put Minnesota values first,” Sarvi said in a statement about his candidacy.
He said he strongly supports the military troops but that “is matched with equally strong dissatisfaction with the president’s failed policies.”
Kline is a two-term Congressman in the 2nd District, which covers the southern metro area of the Twin Cities, including most of Dakota County. Kline has made military affairs a key part of his profile and his work in Congress. He spent much of his career in the Marines and carried the “nuclear football” for several presidents.
October 4th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
I am excited that Eileen Weber is handling Sarvi’s public relations. She is a fellow RN and strong advocate for universal healthcare
October 5th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
This great news for the Second District.
His education, work and military experience makes him totally qualified.
I am surprised that the Pioneer Press calls Kline a two-term Congressman since he won in 2002 after re-districting (when Luther forced Luther to decide if he wanted to compete in the 6th against Kennedy), and was re-elected in 2004 and 2006. That would make Kline a three-term Congressman. The good news for Kline is that I believe after six years he qualifies for a Congressional pension … he’ll need it.