I don't know if other Democrats will file, but after months of waiting, we now have a candidate to take on Thelma Drake (R-2nd) this year. Good for Glenn Nye for stepping up to the plate!
Diplomat Glenn Nye Launches Bid for CongressNye Will Bring True Leadership to Put America Back on Track
Virginia Beach, VA - Glenn Nye, a foreign affairs expert and former diplomat, announced today that he is running for Congress as a Democrat in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. Nye will bring his understanding of foreign policy and ability to broker compromise to Washington, and will be a true leader for his community.
"I worked side by side with our soldiers who are doing heroic work, but I believe there is no military solution to the war in Iraq. It's time we get our soldiers out of the line of fire through a safe and secure withdrawal. Economically, we can help the Iraqis to help themselves, but it's time for the Iraqi government to take the lead so we can spend American money on American priorities."
more on the "flip"
Glenn Nye has spent his adult life answering the call to serve in conflict zones around the world as a U.S. diplomat and economic development expert, serving over the past decade with the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Coming from a family with deep Virginia roots and a strong history of service to country in the armed forces, Nye has devoted his career to advancing American interests and values around the world."Virginians deserve a real leader who will take a strong, independent stand for their priorities - and that's what we're missing in Congress right now," Nye continued. "It's time for real investments in America, and serious steps to get the economy back on track, take better care of our veterans, promote affordable and accessible healthcare, and achieve energy independence."
Nye grew up in Norfolk, Virginia and is a graduate of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He recently returned home to Hampton Roads from Iraq, where he advised a USAID program, working closely with military colleagues to stabilize Iraqi neighborhoods by creating employment for over 70,000 Iraqis. In 2001, Nye received the State Department's Superior Honor Award for organizing the rescue of American citizens caught behind insurgent lines in Macedonia.
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Bio attached
GLENN NYE
Glenn Nye has spent his adult life answering the call to serve in conflict zones around the world as a U.S. diplomat and development expert. Coming from a family with deep Virginia roots and a strong history of service to country in the armed forces as well as medical service to our community, Glenn has devoted his career to advancing American interests and values.
He worked to develop fledgling democracies and bring stability to communities and economic hope to struggling countries. Concerned about how our Washington leaders have shaped our approach to the world - with a misguided war in Iraq while neglecting priorities at home - Glenn is running for Congress to change the course of American policy.
Glenn returned home to Hampton Roads from Iraq, where he advised a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) program, working closely with military colleagues to stabilize Iraqi neighborhoods by creating employment for over 70,000 Iraqis.
Glenn grew up in Norfolk and graduated from high school at Norfolk Academy. He is a graduate of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. While in college Glenn volunteered on medical education missions to the Middle East. He began his foreign service career focusing on economic development in war-torn Eastern Europe, while working for the U.S. Director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Glenn later joined the U.S. State Department, receiving training in the Albanian language and serving initially in Macedonia and Kosovo. In 2001 he received the State Department's Superior Honor Award for organizing the rescue of American citizens caught behind insurgent lines during a civil conflict in Macedonia and for securing the release of an American citizen held hostage by insurgents.
Glenn was then posted to the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, where he helped protect U.S. intellectual property rights during the negotiation of the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. From there he volunteered to go to Afghanistan, spending almost a year as part of a U.S. government sponsored team managing the historic Afghan Constitutional Convention and supporting the country's first Presidential election.
During his public service career, Glenn managed a USAID community development program in The West Bank and Gaza. He also served as Operations Director for an unprecedented effort to give democracy a chance in the Middle East by registering eligible voters in major U.S. cities for Iraq's Transitional National Assembly election.
Placing a high value on education, Glenn has reached out actively within the United States to advance the discussion and understanding of critical U.S. foreign policy interests. He has spoken to audiences at a number of universities and has reached out to Hampton Roads high schools to talk to students about America's role in the world.
(I'm also gonna "steal" that great photo of Glenn from you, Lowell. ;)
Now, hopefully, someone will step forward in the 4th. Mr. Forbes ought to have to defend his shameful record. I would also hope maybe Ted Hontz or someone else steps forward in the 1st so we can try organizing there in a Presidential year.
As for the 7th ... Eric Cantor is a crazy person, but it would take some kind of tide to beat him in that district.
No, it's great that we have candidates like Judy, Tom, and now Glenn in Republican leaning districts. The people of the 11th, 5th, and 2nd now have real choices.
Error of omission, my apologies.
I always need to think twice about whether I'm talking about the 10th or the 11th. I did not this time, and we see the result.
I really like Judy's chances, but definitely the 11th is our #1 pickup opportunity, especially if Leslie is the nominee.
I am going to print out a map of the districts post haste.