Loyalty Should Be Pledged to Your Country Not to Your Political Party
Doug Heckman, Democratic candidate for the House of Representatives in Georgia's 7th Congressional District, weighed in on the results of the Republican run-off for this race. He remarked on the fact that Republicans had to sign loyalty oaths pledging allegiance to their Party in order to qualify as candidates.
"Woodall apparently had no problem signing away his independent judgement. It is the citizens of our country who have been suffering as a result of this kind of politics. Reasonable debate and compromise have no chance when extreme partisans reject moderation," said Heckman.
He also said: " I took an oath as an Army officer to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. I find it disturbing that someone would take an oath to a political party when they don't even know what Party leaders will be requiring of them."
Heckman added: "This is what makes Americans question whether Congress represents them or the special interests funding the political establishment."
Heckman recently returned from his second military deployment to Iraq where he earned his third combat Bronze Star. He was stationed in the Baghdad area with other Special Operations soldiers. He previously served a tour of duty in Afghanistan in Oct 2001.
He has long-standing ties in the community and real-world experience in national security and in business. Doug Heckman is a West Point graduate and has two sons at West Point and one daughter at Norcross High School. Heckman also has an MBA from Duke University and has lived in the 7th District for 20 years with his wife and three children.
Heckman stated: "That is why I am in this race for Congress. I will be a responsible public servant for the people of our District and our Nation. Besides my marriage vows, the only oath I have taken is to God and country."
He continued: "Woodall has been on Linder's staff in D.C. for 18 years. This has been his only job as an adult and his only perspective on this District."