WASHINGTON DC, October 28, 2014 – While the Allen West Guardian Fund is deploying
significant independent activity in support of 14 endorsed candidates at the federal
level, an additional 11 veteran and minority candidates at the state and local level
have been identified as key races to watch.
“In this critical election cycle, it’s incredibly inspiring to see more and more
veteran and minority patriots stepping forward to lead,” said Colonel West, “They’ve
demonstrated the courage, commitment, conviction, character and competence needed
to succeed. Their steadfast stand for constitutional conservatism bodes well for
the future of our nation.”
The Allen West Guardian Fund was established in January 2013 as a PAC to support
conservative military veteran and minority Republicans running for state and federal
office. In this election cycle, the PAC is providing direct and indirect financial
support for 14 endorsed candidates in 2014.
RACES TO WATCH
Tony Barton, KS State Rep. District 41
Tony is the son of a career Airman. After high school, Tony joined the Navy where he worked in communications and law enforcement. He was honorably discharged after completing his duty of pre-commissioning and commissioning the USS Carl Vinson, at that time America’s latest and greatest aircraft carrier.
Returning home, Tony worked for the Nebraska Department of Corrections for almost
six years while pursuing credentials in ministerial studies. Simultaneously, Tony
opened a martial arts school. Affiliated with World Bible Way Fellowship, Inc., Tony has served as Pastor of New Life Fellowship Church in Leavenworth, KS since
2001.
Julian Bradley – WI Secretary of State
Julian’s mother, a staunch Democrat, often discussed politics with him. Julian realized his pragmatic, conservative values were best suited for the Republican Party. He joined the La Crosse GOP in 2002. In 2013 Julian began touring the state on his “Shattering Stereotypes” speaking tour, sharing his story of being a black Republican and former Democrat rising through the ranks in Wisconsin politics. He received Charlie Sykes’ Right Wisconsin Grassroots Activist of the Year award for 2013.
Julian is a manager with a major telecommunications company in La Crosse, where he’s worked for nearly 10 years.
Sam Clovis is currently a tenured full Professor of Economics at a private liberal arts college in northwest Iowa. Originally from rural Kansas, Sam accepted an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. Sam commanded the 70th Fighter Squadron and retired as the Inspector General of the United States Space Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command. After 25 years, he achieved the rank of Full Colonel.
Morad Fiki, TX State Rep. District 137
Morad served in the U.S. Marine Corps with Marine Air Group (MAG)-13 for three years at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, Arizona. After graduating from the University of Houston, pursuing and achieving a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in Accounting with a dual minor in both Spanish and Finance, Morad earned a commission as a U.S. Naval Officer through Officer Candidate School and was assigned to flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. Morad is a proud Houstonian, an enlisted veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, an Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves, and an active licensed Texas real estate professional.
Mayor Allan Fung, RI Governor
In 1996, Fung began his career working as a litigation associate for Mandell, Schwartz & Boisclair until 1999. Allan then went on to work as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General’s office until 2001. Allan subsequently began working for MetLife in 2001 as their Government Relations Counsel through 2009.
In 2002, Allan won his first election and served as Cranston’s City-Wide Councilman from 2003 – 2007. Allan went on to win his campaign for Mayor of Cranston in 2008 and is currently in his 3rd term. Fung made Rhode Island history by becoming the first Asian-American Mayor in the state. Cranston is the third largest city in Rhode Island.
Walt Havenstein graduated from the US Naval Academy with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. He served 28 years in the Marine Corps – 12 years on active duty – leading and serving alongside America’s finest young men and women. He retired from the Marine Reserves in 1999 at the rank of Colonel.
As a business leader, Walt spent 30 years in the private sector working with some
of the most sophisticated companies in the world. He has been CEO for two companies,
including BAE Systems, Inc., one of the state’s largest employers. Walt also served as CEO of SAIC, an $11 billion, FORTUNE 250 scientific, engineering, and technology company.
Josh Mandel is the 48th Treasurer of the State of Ohio and the youngest State Treasurer in the nation. As Treasurer of Ohio, Josh has earned the highest possible rating from Standard & Poor’s for the $3 billion local government investment fund he manages, and the highest possible rating from Fitch for the state’s short-term General Obligation bonds.
Treasurer Mandel enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves in 2000, where he graduated
first in his class from Marine Corps Boot Camp and first in his class from Marine
Corps Intelligence School. His Marine Corps career spanned eight years, including two tours in Anbar Province, Iraq. During both tours he was awarded the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal for “superior performance of his duties.”
Stuart Mears, FL State Rep. District 86
After graduating from Lake Worth Community High School in 1992, Stuart joined the United States Army Infantry and served his country proudly. Stuart served mostly in Vilseck, Germany, but he also spent a tour in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as part of a peace-keeping mission with the United Nations. Stuart finished his service in Fort Benning, Georgia and was honorably discharged in 1996.
Stuart is an educator with The School District of Palm Beach County and works at the administrative level as an Instructional Specialist at The Adult Education Center.
Deb Rey, MD House of Delegates, District 29B
Deb was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force, and was recognized as the Distinguished Graduate of her ROTC class. She earned a Master’s in Management from Webster University. During her 20-year Air Force career, Deb served as a Logistics Plans Officer and an Information Manager. After retiring from the Air Force, Deb was elected President of the Republican Women of St Mary’s in 2010 and president of the Republican Club of St Mary’s in 2012. She was also Protocol Chair and Southern Region Chair for the Maryland Federation of Republican Women, and was a delegate to the 2012 Republican National Convention.
Roger Roth – WI State Senate District 19
Following his degree from UW-Oshkosh, Roger not only continued to lead the family construction business building homes across Northeastern Wisconsin but also joined the Wisconsin Air National Guard. He served four tours in the Middle East, including a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and three times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In 2006, Roger was elected to represent the 56th Assembly District and was an outspoken champion of fiscal responsibility, lower taxes and a reduction of out of control state spending.
Jill Upson, WV House of Delegates, District 65
Jill Upson is an inspirational member of the community, mother of one son, and a military wife.
Jill won the endorsement of GOPAC, a national organization devoted to educating and electing Republican leaders and was named as one of BET’s “Top 10 Republicans to Watch.”