HOLDEN, WV – The largest progressive group of veterans in America, VoteVets PAC, today is endorsing Richard Ojeda to be US Representative for the 3rd Congressional District of West Virginia.



“Right now, more than ever, we need people in Congress who have a record of putting others ahead of themselves, and that’s what Richard Ojeda’s life has been all about,” said Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chair of VoteVets PAC. “Richard’s first thought, upon leaving High School, was to serve America, and he hasn’t stopped since then. At a time when too many politicians are looking out for themselves, Richard brings a record of service that will serve the people of the district well. Additionally, in these perilous times, Richard brings a badly needed perspective – that of the warrior – to the debate. Our security depends on voices like Richard’s being in the halls of power. We’re proud to back him.”



According to his bio, after graduation from Logan High School in 1988, Richard Ojeda enlisted in the US Army and was trained as an engineer where he served in the only Airborne Bridge Unit in the world. A steadfast soldier and warrior academic, Ojeda graduated and received his commission to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant from West Virginia State College as a commissioned Engineering Officer in 1997 with orders to serve at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.



In 2004, then-Captain Ojeda assumed command of a company in the 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat-Airborne) and immediately deployed with them to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Immediately following the combat deployment Captain Ojeda was given a second command of Delta Company, 37th Engineer Battalion. In 2007, Major Ojeda would return to Iraq with the 20th Engineer Brigade as the Chief of Operations of the Theater Engineers responsible for the operations of over 7000 subordinate engineers throughout the country of Iraq.



Ojeda served, as a Major, across the globe in nations including Germany, South Korea, Afghanistan, and Iraq. In addition, Ojeda is the first American Officer selected to attend the Chilean Commando Scuba Course and served as an Operations Officer during Operation Unified Response that was the humanitarian response to the 2010 Haitian Earthquake. In 2010, Major Ojeda volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan as a combat advisor with the 10th Mountain Division in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where he mentored over 1200 Afghan Police



Ojeda has completed and graduated from numerous military courses to include the Command General Staff College. He has been awarded numerous medals and is also pending the Purple Heart for injuries sustained while conducting operations in Iraq. In addition, Major Ojeda is a Master Rated Parachutist who has earned the Sapper Tab, the Air Assault Badge and was awarded the Combat Action Badge for actions against enemy forces.



Founded in 2006, the mission of VoteVets.org Political Action Committee is to elect Veterans to public office, and hold public officials accountable for their words and actions that impact America's 21st century troops and veterans. Though VoteVets.org PAC is non-partisan, candidates it backs must support VoteVets.org's core mission and beliefs.