Kander Campaign Launches "Veterans and Military Families for Kander"

Press Release

Jason Kander's campaign today announced the launch of "Veterans and Military Families for Kander." The group, which is part of Jason's growing coalition, was announced at an event at VFW Post 3404 in Springfield.

At a press conference announcing the group, retired U.S. Army Brigadier General J. Marty Robinson, who served in a variety of assignments including the war in Iraq, and Jack Hembree, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel who served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, spoke about why they believe Jason is best suited to stand up for our veterans as well as our men and women in uniform.

A veteran of the war in Afghanistan, Jason enlisted in the Army National Guard following 9/11 and later volunteered to serve in Afghanistan as a military intelligence officer, where he investigated groups and individuals suspected of corruption, espionage, drug trafficking, and facilitating Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

"There is no issue more personal to me than support for our country's military and its veterans. My deployment was the first time in my life that I saw political decisions have a negative impact on my life. My fellow soldiers and I were forced to go on missions without the right equipment because military leaders on the ground were handcuffed by decisions politicians were making in Washington," Jason said. "It was true then and it's true today, Congress has become so polarized that they too often stop thinking about the brave men and women fighting the War on Terror and instead focus on winning their own political war with each other for a few more seats in Congress. Missouri deserves a Senator who will fight for those they were elected to serve, whether that be our military overseas or the working families right here in Missouri."

As a veteran himself, Jason has a firsthand understanding of the unique challenges veterans face upon returning home and the need for the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to provide the highest level of service to veterans, who as a group face higher rates of unemployment, mental illness and suicide. Throughout his career, Jason has fought to give veterans the tools and resources they need to succeed, including:

Pushing through the "Startups for Soldiers" Act, which waives all business start-up fees for members of the National Guard and active duty military members returning to Missouri;
Creating a first-of-its kind website for service members to request an absentee ballot online, shortening the process to as little as 48 hours and making Missouri's the most convenient and secure military voting process in the country; and
Calling for Missouri to remain a leader in military innovation and veteran support and for Fort Leonard Wood in the Ozarks to be the site for an Army research trial on PTSD.

In stark contrast, Senator Roy Blunt has repeatedly voted against veterans, including: opposition to a comprehensive veterans bill that would expand health and career service, veterans' rights, and foreclosure protections; a 2011 vote for a bill that cut funding for housing vouchers for 11,000 homeless veterans; and a 2015 vote that cut veterans medical care by $500M.

"I stand here today proud to support Jason Kander for U.S. Senate. This is someone who answered the call to serve like so many others because of the sense of duty he felt to our country and has shown that he will fight for us, whether that be in Afghanistan or the U.S. Senate," retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Jack Hembree said. "Senator Blunt has become just another D.C. politician whose only fight is for his political career, not the folks here in Missouri."

"Right now, ISIS is the greatest threat our country faces and when you ask me who I want making decisions, I want someone who knows firsthand what it takes to defend our country," said retired U.S. Army Brigadier General J. Marty Robinson. "This is about more than making sure our vets are given the support and resources they need to succeed, it's a matter of national security, and for that reason, among many others, I'm proud to support Jason Kander for U.S. Senate."

The group will be led by a steering committee that includes:

Ellis Arnold Jr., Belton -- U.S. Army
Jack Bainbridge, Odessa -- U.S. Army
Alderman Jeffrey Boyd of St. Louis Ward 22, St. Louis -- U.S. Army
Steve Brothers, Iberia -- U.S. Army
Tim Chorenziak, Jefferson City -- U.S. Marine Corps
Jamal Dunn, St. Louis -- U.S. Army
Theresa Garza, Kansas City -- U.S. Navy
Rich Grant, Columbia -- U.S. Army
Jack Hembree, Springfield -- U.S. Army
Chris Hoffman, Blue Springs -- U.S. Army
Jeremy Idelman, St. Louis -- U.S. Army
Jessica Idelman, St. Louis -- Military Family Member
Richard Mendenhall, Columbia -- U.S. Army
Anastasia Merrill, Potosi -- Military Family Member
J. Marty Robinson, Springfield -- U.S. Army
Lynnette Siegel, Kansas City -- U.S. Air Force
Joseph Williams, Kansas City -- U.S. Marine
Alderman Frank Williamson of St. Louis Ward 26, St. Louis -- U.S. Army

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