Following an Invitation to Johnson, Phone Call with CEO Paul Rieckhoff Further Expands IAVA Presidential Campaign Conversation on Veterans Issues

New York (September 2, 2016) – Yesterday, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Founder and Chief Executive Officer Paul Rieckhoff spoke by phone with Libertarian Party candidate for President Gary Johnson about a range of veterans issues to include IAVA’s upcoming Commander-in-Chief Forum events. The two discussed the concerns of IAVA members, IAVA’s Policy Agenda priorities and how the Johnson campaign can best serve the veteran community at large. The call followed a formal invitation from IAVA to Governor Johnson and, Green Party Candidate, Dr. Jill Stein inviting them to participate in an IAVA Commander-in-Chief Forum event.

“It was an excellent, productive call with Governor Johnson. We appreciate him making time to focus on the issues facing IAVA members. He thanked IAVA for the invitation to a Commander-in-Chief event and for our continued work on behalf of veterans. We talked through a number of options that his campaign is considering and he was extremely appreciative of the opportunity,” said Paul Rieckhoff. “We are a non-partisan organization and IAVA members are extremely diverse. IAVA has always been committed to the most robust public conversation around veterans issues and we are eager to engage Gov. Johnson and all candidates further in the days to come. We encourage all Americans to stay tuned to IAVA.org for further updates in the days ahead.“

The Johnson campaign elaborated in an interview with the Army Times published today and linked here.

“Johnson campaign communications director Joe Hunter said the campaign does not see the process so far as a slight to Johnson, who also has not been invited to the nationally televised presidential debates scheduled for the final weeks of the race.”

“‘Gov. Johnson applauded the work of IAVA and other leading (veterans groups) in America who are giving voice to the nation’s veterans, and reiterated his desire that supporters of his candidacy show respect and similar appreciation for that good work,’ Hunter said.”

For more information on upcoming historic IAVA Commander-in-Chief Forum events at CommanderInChiefForum.org.