VoteVets Endorses MJ Hegar for Congress
AUSTIN, TX – The largest progressive group of veterans in America, VoteVets PAC, is today endorsing MJ Hegar to be the next US Representative from the 31st Congressional District in Texas.
“If you want to talk about an inspiring, tough-as-nails, no-nonsense patriot, you need look no further than MJ,” said Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chair of VoteVets. “MJ could have gone on to have a great civilian career, after graduating from UT, but she went and served her country. After three tours in Afghanistan as a pilot, and receiving a purple heart, MJ definitely earned the right to go home and take care of herself, but she wanted to go back and fight on the ground. And when she was denied that right, because of her gender, she went to work to change the rules so that qualified women like her could serve in combat roles. People should think about that – how hard MJ fought to keep fighting for Texas and America – when they vote. This is a woman you want fighting for you in Washington, and we’re proud to support her.”
According to her bio, MJ Hegar is a lifelong resident of Texas Congressional District 31, absent only when serving her country in the military. After graduating from the University of Texas, MJ was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force, culminating in her command of over 433 troops, 42 billion dollars in assets, and over 85% of all B-2 Stealth Bomber maintenance. She was later selected for pilot training by the Air National Guard, finishing at the top of her class. She went on to serve on the frontlines during three tours in Afghanistan as a combat search-and-rescue helicopter pilot. In 2009, her helicopter was shot down by the Taliban and, despite being wounded, she helped save the lives of her crew and patients. For her actions, MJ earned a Purple Heart and was the second woman ever to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor Device.
When she returned from Afghanistan, her injuries prevented her from continuing her career as a pilot. She was qualified for a special-tactics officer role to be on the frontlines with ground forces – but that career field was closed to women at the time and she was not eligible to even apply. MJ worked with the Pentagon and advocacy groups to end the ban on women serving in combat roles – making our military and country stronger, and creating new opportunities for women.
Founded in 2006, the mission of VoteVets.org Political Action Committee is to elect Veterans to public office, with a focus on Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, and hold public officials accountable for their words and actions that impact America’s 21st century troops and veterans. Though VoteVets.org PAC is non-partisan, candidates it backs must support VoteVets.org’s core mission and beliefs.