Veterans Days

As we paused to remember military veterans over the Memorial Day holiday, we thought of the large number of military vets, particularly from the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, that look to be running as GOPers this cycle.

-- In CO-04, a "Draft Diggs Brown" movement has sprung up to urge the Ft. Collins Councilor to run against Betsy Markey (D). He'll make his decision after returning home from a tour in Africa later this year. Meanwhile, Iraq vet Adam Kinzinger (R) has been turning heads in his race against Debbie Halvorson (D-IL 11). Elsewhere, Afghanistan vet Justin Bernier (R) has announced a bid against Chris Murphy (D-CT 05), while Iraq vet Vaughan Ward (R), who's backed by John McCain, is in the race against Walt Minnick (D-ID 01).

-- Dems, too, have a crop of Iraq vets waiting in the wings, including '08 SC-02 nom Rob Miller (D) and Anthony Woods (D), who was honorably discharged from the Army in '08 under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, is running a longshot bid in CA-10. Meanwhile, Iraq vet/state Rep. Brian Lentz (D) is poised to run should Joe Sestak (D) run for SEN.

-- Still, compared to '06 days of the "Fighting Dems" (when nearly 60 veterans ran for Cong.) it appears the GOP ranks are swelling with vets.