There are those of all political persuasions who'd believe a guy called the Safety Samurai could do wonders in Washington, D.C.

Enter the dragon himself — Troy Bonar, an Air Force veteran who retired in Abilene and today works for Buffalo Gap Instrumentation & Electrical Co. While his job focuses on safe construction and installation in the industrial electrical and instrumentation fields, he stepped out of his safe zone to run for U.S. Congress.

Bonar, the Libertarian Party candidate, faces Republican Jodey Arrington and Green Party hopeful Mark Lawson in his bid to succeed Randy Neugebauer as the representative of the 19th Congressional District.

It's his first bid for public office.

He ramped up his interest in politics about five years ago, he said, and when state Rep. Susan King announced she was stepping down to seek an open state Senate seat, Bonar considered a run for the state House. A friend, Democrat Pierce LoPachin, announced his intentions and Bonar backed off.

There was another seat coming open, that of congressional representative for a 29-county district. Bonar believed he was better suited for this run.

'And I'd have more impact in Congress than at the state level,' he said. 'I am very familiar with the oil and gas industry, and our highways. I've been through every single town in the district. This has been my stomping grounds the last 20 years.'

He also said there is another attraction: a member of Congress makes a decent living, much better than a state rep.

'I wanted to make this a 100-percent commitment,' he said.

Bonar was stationed both at Goodfellow and Dyess Air Force bases in this area. His field was intelligence, though he joked that his last duty at K.I. Sawyer AFB was that of cook. It was better than painting dorms his final 30 days.

His nickname? He teaches martial arts and students combined his day job with his part-time job. It works well when he gives safety talks. He was speaking this month at the National Safety Council Congress & Expo in Anaheim, California.

Bonar believes safety has a place in work and personal lives.

'It's a personal value, like honesty and integrity,' he said.

Getting into politics 'a big leap' for someone who had an interest but wanted to become more involved.

'How do we actually make a change, make a difference?' he wondered.

A self-described C-SPAN geek, he tired of politicians' 'grandstanding just to get their name out there. A lot of people are tired of our political system. It has gotten to the point it's disgraceful. Our political science programs are breeding this politicians. They understand the process.

'We need more normal people from the people to represent the people.'

He believes a Washington outsider would help get Congress thinking outside its box.

'We need to look at things from a different angle,' he said.

He is irked by bills weighed down by riders. So, he supports the one topic/one bill effort.

Education should be guided locally, not by Washington, he said.

As a veteran, he is strong on defense and veterans issues. He would work to bring the B-21 bomber to Dyess, he said.

Bonar believes it's time for third party to emerge. The Libertarian Party was founded in 1971 in reaction to the unstable political times then.

'We're experiencing exactly the same thing,' he said.

He supports privatization on government agencies.

'We rely too much on government,' he said.

He believes younger generations are tired of two-party politics. He also felt the need to 'bail,' he said.

Running for office and working has been tough, he said. He is getting his message out through a grass-roots effort.

'You never know what the future holds,' he said. 'I want to make a difference, to change something. I've met so many wonderful people and I've learned a lot about their true concerns.'