Matt Reel playing catch-up in congressional race after military deployment

Mark Hicks | Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle

Show Caption Hide Caption Matt Reel Matt Reel is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 7th Congressional District seat

For the past couple of weeks, Matt Reel has been involved in an incredible race after returning from a six-month military deployment to Central America. Now, he's playing catch-up in his bid for the Democratic nomination for the 7th District U.S. House seat.

Early voting starts Friday, and the primary election is Aug. 2

But the Special Forces reservist and former Austin Peay State University football standout takes his limited time and exposure as a political candidate as the next objective.

“Sure, it’s an uphill challenge,” he said. “But challenges have not deterred me. I was an undersized, slow defensive end playing here at Austin Peay. I got a chance to start, and I made Second-Team All American while I was here.

“I joined the military and took on one of the most challenging career paths in the military by going to try out for special forces selection, and I made it through that as well.

“The right thing to do is not always the easy thing to do. And I’m doing this because I feel it’s the right thing to do. The country needs folks to step up and serve in this respect, and we need more veterans in Congress.”

Reel, a fifth-generation Tennessean from Hickman County, stopped by The Leaf-Chronicle on Tuesday to talk about his campaign. He is running against Justin Kanew, who has the name recognition of a two-time participant in CBS’s “The Amazing Race” reality TV program.

More: Former 'Amazing Race' contestant to run as Democrat

The winner will face Republican Mark Green, who is the District 22 state senator, seeking to succeed GOP U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, who is running for retiring Sen. Bob Corker’s seat. Green is a medical doctor and former 160th Special Operations flight surgeon.

More: State Sen. Mark Green to run for congressional seat

Tennessee values

Reel doesn’t see much difference demographically between people in the southern portions of the 7th District and those to the north where Fort Campbell dominates and a large number of veterans live.

“I don’t think Tennesseans are patrician as much as they have shared values,” he said. “We all learned our values going to church. We all respect and appreciate the rights that are guaranteed to us in the Constitution, from the top to the bottom. They value hard work, and they value people who they see as a reflection of them.

“I am a product of this state and this (Clarksville military) community. And any success I have, or will have, is a result of a community that brought me up.

“Tennesseans aren’t simple people. You can’t move to a state, and a year later pretend to understand the challenges faced by Tennesseans and want to represent them in Congress.”

Reel’s Hickman County roots include preachers, public educators and farmers. He worked for Congressman Lincoln Davis until 9/11 happened, and then he joined the military.

“What I see as part of the problem in D.C., is they don’t have the right type of real-world experience. And there are fewer and fewer veterans who are serving in public office. And they’re making decisions on national security policy and sending our sons and daughters to war when they don’t have skin in the game themselves,” he said. “If I’m elected, I’ll continue to serve in the military.”

He thinks his background uniquely positions him to serve in national office.

“The national policy that I’ve worked on is where I have that expertise,” Reel said. “And that’s where I’ve worked on both the military and on the civilian side. Local and state level folks don’t have the same ability to affect policy on care for veterans nor what we are doing on national security policy – that’s done at a federal level.”

A 'voice in the middle'

He believes he can be a “voice in the middle” of the hyper-partisan rhetoric echoing in Congress.

“So many times, the far right and the far left retreat into their corners, and we don’t solve problems on the issues. Issues like health care or the Second Amendment,” he said.

Reel, who has owed guns since age 13, says he supports the Second Amendment and gun ownership. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t take steps to make our schools safer. And it doesn’t mean we can’t take steps forward to prevent gun violence with background checks.”

“I’ve used guns in defense of this country. And I’ve had them used against me as well, and I understand those issues,” he said. “We need people with credibility on those issues that are talking from a position of reason. That know that inaction is not an option and aren’t just trying to find a way to defend their positions. But trying to find ways to solve problems on those issues.”

And for those who shun the sharp elbows of politics, Reel reminds that democracy is a “participatory sport.”

“It’s more than just voting,” he said. “It’s getting involved. And whether you like politics or say I’m not into it, it’s into you whether you want to play the game or not. The game is happening and decisions are being made on your behalf. So, I think there are people who are waking up to that.”