MyDD :: Democratic State Sen. Candidate Called Up by National Guard

Democratic State Sen. Candidate Called Up by National Guard

by Jonathan Singer, Tue Oct 17, 2006 at 02:35:49 PM EST

Paul Evans is the real deal. City Councilman in Monmouth, Oregon at age 18, Evans has been twice elected as the city's mayor, served in the Air Force and the Air National Guard and been a teacher at Western Oregon University and Oregon State University. Evans is currently running as a Democrat for the State Senate in Oregon, his campaign representing one of the party's best pick-up opportunities in the chamber this year. And now he has been informed that he will be shipping out for duty in Afghanistan on November 5, as Peter Wong reports for the Salem Statesman Journal.

When Election Day rolls around three weeks from today, Oregon Senate candidate Paul Evans will learn his fate from afar: Afghanistan.

Evans, a veteran of the Air Force and Oregon Air National Guard, will be en route to the nation with the 116th Air Control Squadron.

He is scheduled to leave Nov. 5, 10 days ahead of his original deployment date. His mission will last 60 days -- which means he would be back for the opening of the legislative session on Jan. 8 if he is elected Nov. 7 to the Senate District 10 seat.

[...]

In a written statement, he said, "When my commander said I was needed, there was no question of whether or not I would go. Duty calls."

[...]

He likely is the nation's only candidate who will be on active duty in the Middle East on Election Day.

This is a great story for the Democrats, one that should garner at least some national coverage in addition to the local coverage. Democratic candidate Paul Evans, one of the few people in the Air National Guard able to perform his specific role as an air-battle manager and who has served multiple tours of duty in Iraq, Kuwait and elsewhere, is selflessly giving up an opportunity to campaign in the waning moments of this election to serve his country. Brigadier General Mike Caldwell, deputy director of the Oregon National Guard, had as much to say in a statement released today (via BlueOregon):

Major Evans has unique skills that are critical to the safety of our troops. I'm grateful that he is willing to ship out to Afghanistan, even in the last few days of a close campaign. He understands the true meaning of service. And as it stands right now, we see no reason why Paul cannot get back in time to serve in the Oregon Legislature as a civilian leader.

Let's show Paul Evans that we will support him and help put him over the top in this election even as he does his duty in Afghanistan. Let's show America how Democrats and progressives feel about our troops. BlueOregon has set up an ActBlue fundraising page for Evans and provides information on how to volunteer if you live in the area.

Update [2006-10-17 15:22:27 by Jonathan Singer]: A commenter writes, "'This [will be] a great story for the Democrats' assuming he survives." Very true. I did not intend to be cavalier in writing about this story. It should be mentioned that Evans faces real danger -- a prospect that we should not overlook. Our hopes for his safe return of course come before our financial support on his behalf.

Tags: Oregon, Paul Evans, State Senate (all tags)

Permalink :: 15 Comments :: Post a Comment

James Walker, too. (none / 0)

I'm the campaign manager for the James Walker campaign for the Florida State House. James is an Iraq war vet and, of course, Democrat, running against right-wing Republican Dennis Baxley (Force Bill, "Academic Freedom").

James was recalled to duty in Iraq (scheduled to report to duty in June), the week before the primary.

James is also one hell of a candidate: passionate, articulate, and smart, he has impressed voters of all political stripes and persuasions and has made this race surprisingly competitive.

"The collapse of confidence in the Republican leadership is not enough to elect Democratic leadership." -Dean

by gatordemocrat on Tue Oct 17, 2006 at 02:55:06 PM EST

Show James Some Love (none / 0)

here.

"The collapse of confidence in the Republican leadership is not enough to elect Democratic leadership." -Dean

by gatordemocrat on Tue Oct 17, 2006 at 02:58:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Democratic State Sen. Candidate Called Up (none / 0)

Jonathan,
In your last paragraph, you say Paul Evans will be in Iraq. The article says he's going to Afghanistan.

Rudy Giuliani hates firefighters. And puppies.

by Fran for Dean on Tue Oct 17, 2006 at 02:58:02 PM EST

great story (none / 0)

"This [will be] a great story for the Democrats" assuming he survives. I wish him the best, and wish he didn't have to go.

Invest in nature

by NCDem on Tue Oct 17, 2006 at 03:05:41 PM EST

Currently serving (none / 0)

Iowa state Rep. Ray Zirkelbach is currently serving in Iraq.

Iowa state Rep. McKinley Bailey just got back.

by DLCC on Tue Oct 17, 2006 at 03:31:42 PM EST

"assuming he survives" (3.00 / 0)

I talked to Paul about this.

While he's heading to a combat zone, and that's never without danger, he wanted to make it clear that he's not in the same kind of danger that guys on patrol are in.

As an air battle commander, his primary mission is to help keep our pilots from getting shot down by enemy aircraft or (more likely) ground-based fire.

by karichisholm on Tue Oct 17, 2006 at 04:12:19 PM EST

Re: Democratic State Sen. Candidate Called Up by N (none / 0)

I'm a constituent in his district. He's run a good campaign. I'm hopeful he will win despite running against an entrenched Republican.

by cmpnwtr on Tue Oct 17, 2006 at 04:32:37 PM EST

Max Cleland supports Paul Evans (none / 0)

BTW, here's the coverage on BlueOregon about Senator Max Cleland coming to Oregon to headline three events for Paul Evans.

Paul really is the real deal.

by karichisholm on Tue Oct 17, 2006 at 04:38:34 PM EST

Paul Evans (none / 0)

A week and a half ago I met and canvassed for Paul, and from what I've heard of him, he seems like a great guy. If you can help him, do it.

"And so in the place of the palace of privilege, we seek to build a temple out of faith and hope and charity."-FDR

by jallen on Tue Oct 17, 2006 at 05:23:34 PM EST

Paul Evans (none / 0)

I met and canvassed for Paul last month as well. Great guy, thoughtful, and a true believer in citizen service in government. He'll be a great addition to the state senate in Salem.

by nate pdx on Tue Oct 17, 2006 at 07:24:26 PM EST

Another example... (none / 0)

Ohio State Senator Steve Stivers also served part of his term while stationed in Iraq.

by KTinOhio on Tue Oct 17, 2006 at 07:41:08 PM EST

Candidate Called Up by National Guard (none / 0)

I recall a decent candidate here in PA running against Crazy Curt Weldon, being called up and shipped out for an extensive tour. He stepped down as a candidate and the party had to scramble to replace him.

Listen, I know this is Tin Foil Hat territory, but is anyone cataloging candidates being called up? Is there any descrepancy between the number of military-obligated democratic candidates being called up and the number of military-obligated republican candidates?

by lutton on Sat Oct 21, 2006 at 04:09:18 PM EST

Called Up by National Guard (none / 0)

I recall a decent candidate here in PA running against Crazy Curt Weldon in 2004, being called up and shipped out for an extensive tour. He stepped down as a candidate and the party had to scramble to replace him.

by lutton on Sat Oct 21, 2006 at 04:10:15 PM EST

Called Up by National Guard (none / 0)

by lutton on Sat Oct 21, 2006 at 04:11:35 PM EST

2e (none / 0)

Sorry, guys, the subject too long thing got me fouled up. That and the beer!

But could you do something about the subject length thing? I often try to respond to stories, and the re:STORY subject gets rejected. It's a pain...

by lutton on Sat Oct 21, 2006 at 04:13:44 PM EST

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