VoteVets Endorses Slate of Democratic House Candidates Ahead of Midterms
Part of VoteVets’ larger effort to elect more veterans to the U.S. Congress
Washington, DC. – Today, VoteVets endorsed a strong slate of Democratic candidates to represent our nation’s veterans in the U.S. Congress: Chris Gallant (NY-1), Kristina Knickerbocker (OH-10), Dwayne Romero (CO-3), and Raymond Smith (NC-03).
“These four candidates – Chris, Kristina, Dwayne and Raymond – represent the very best of what our country has to offer. All four represent different military groups as well as different states. It’s yet another example of veterans being the most trusted and effective messengers this cycle, and a strong national strategy for Democrats,” said VoteVets Senior Advisor Max Rose. “At VoteVets we support winners who have lived a life of service to our country and in our communities. Chris, Kristina, Dwayne, and Raymond have our full support ahead of the midterms, and they will play a critical role in helping us take back the U.S. Congress.”
“I joined the Army at 17 because I felt called to serve, and that mission has guided every chapter of my life,” said Chris Gallant, candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York’s 1st congressional district. “Whether in a combat zone, the control tower or the firehouse, I learned that service means showing up, working as a team and delivering when people are counting on you. I am honored to earn the endorsement of VoteVets and proud to stand alongside veterans across this country who are bringing that same sense of duty to public office.”
“As a U.S. Air Force veteran who served a decade at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, I know firsthand what our Airmen, Guardians, civilians, and contractors sacrifice for this country. I led medical teams caring for our service members and their families, guided by the values the Air Force instilled in me: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all I do. It’s time for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to be represented by someone who lives by those values and has served this country. I’m proud to have VoteVets standing with me in this fight,” said Kristina Knickerbocker, candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Ohio’s 10th congressional district.
“I’ve spent my life answering the call to serve. When I raised my right hand and took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. That wasn’t just a promise for my time in uniform, it is a lifelong commitment to putting service before self,” said Dwayne Romero, candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Colorado’s 3rd congressional district. “I’m honored to earn the endorsement of VoteVets, an organization that has never stopped fighting for our service members, veterans, military families, and the values we swore to defend. I’m proud to stand with them to bring more service-oriented leadership to Congress. Together, we can restore the belief that leadership is about serving others, protecting our democracy, and leaving our country stronger than we found it.”
“VoteVets understands that patriotism is more than a slogan. It is a commitment to defend our Constitution, protect our democracy, and keep faith with every veteran and military family. As a combat veteran, I am proud and grateful to earn their endorsement, and I look forward to standing with them and Eastern North Carolina in the fight for our Democracy,” said Raymond Smith, candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in North Carolina’s 3rd congressional district.
Candidate Background:
Chris Gallant is a Black Hawk helicopter pilot for the New York Army National Guard, an air traffic controller, union leader, and volunteer firefighter committed to fighting for Suffolk County.
Chris is a proud son of Suffolk County who has spent his life serving his country. Following the September 11th terror attacks, Chris joined the Army at 17 years old. Chris trained extensively to become an air traffic controller, a role he served during his first tour to Kuwait in 2012. When he returned home, Chris joined the New York National Guard, where he was encouraged to enter training to become a Black Hawk helicopter pilot – and did. In 2022, Chris deployed again to the Middle East, this time as a Black Hawk pilot, serving as the first line of defense for America’s diplomats and embassies abroad.
Back in the states, Chris continued to serve his country on the frontlines of some of the greatest missions of the last decade. Following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, Chris was assigned to a specialized unit in the National Guard providing air support to the Secret Service up and down the eastern seaboard, protecting both parties’ Presidential nominees. During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Chris provided site leadership and management at New York’s Javits Center, helping to turn the convention center into one of the largest hubs in the country for treating coronavirus patients during the pandemic’s peak. As a volunteer firefighter, Chris stepped up to fight the 2025 Pine Barrens wildfire, and remains an active volunteer firefighter with the Copiague Fire Department today.
Between deployments, Chris earned his Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management from Dowling College in 2014, and went to work as an air traffic controller. In the control tower, Chris served as a local union president for the National Air Traffic Controller Association where he advocated for fairer compensation and rest requirements for air traffic controllers. Most recently, Chris worked at New York’s John F. Kennedy airport, one of the busiest airspaces in the nation.
Chris lives in Suffolk with his fiance Mike, a member of the Army National Guard. A born and bred Long Islander, Chris is committed to across party lines for a more affordable Long Island – from families looking to buy their first home, to lifelong Long Islanders being priced out of their own neighborhoods.
From combat zones to the control tower, to the firehouse, Chris has delivered when it mattered most. Now, he’s ready to serve again.
U.S. Air Force Veteran, Oncology Nurse Practitioner, and mom of two – Kristina Knickerbocker’s life has been dedicated to serving our country and our community.
Growing up, Kristina and her family enjoyed church and volunteered with local food pantries. She learned the meaning of hard work early, juggling multiple jobs to put herself through school. Passionate about helping people, Kristina followed in her grandmother’s footsteps and pursued her nursing degree before joining the Air Force.
Her service in the Air Force brought her to the Miami Valley. As a major and nurse in the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Kristina led teams to improve medical care for active duty, veterans, and military families. Her work was instrumental in developing and implementing solutions that directly resulted in better health outcomes and increased medical readiness for servicemembers. To continue her service, she transitioned to the 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron where she bolstered deployment readiness for both military and humanitarian objectives.
While serving in the Air Force Reserves, Kristina found her passion while working at The Ohio State University Medical Center as a Neuro-Oncology Nurse Practitioner, helping cancer patients across the region. She has witnessed the broken healthcare system firsthand – from understaffed facilities to skyrocketing premiums and prescription costs that force patients to choose between treatment and groceries.
The healthcare system failed Kristina during her pregnancy and second childbirth when frightening complications resulting from not being listened to by medical professionals proved nearly fatal. This eye-opening and painful journey underscored the importance of patients being their own advocates.
Today, Kristina and her husband Bret, an attorney and small business leader, are proudly raising their two young children in the Yellow Springs area near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Dwayne Romero has spent his life serving his country and his community- from graduating at West Point and fighting in the First Gulf War to being elected to positions on his local city council and school board. Now, Dwayne is running for Congress to fight back against Washington D.C.’s chaos, end Trump’s reckless war in Iran, and reverse healthcare cuts that are hurting our rural communities. Dwayne has lived in the district for over 30 years with his wife Margaret, where they raised three daughters.
Dr. Raymond E. Smith, Jr. is a former educator, decorated combat veteran, and two-term legislator, representing Wayne and Sampson Counties in the North Carolina General Assembly. Born and raised in Goldsboro, Raymond’s role models in life have been his parents, Raymond Sr. and Thelma. Through the example of his father’s time as a U.S. Marine and his mother’s eighteen years of service as a member of the Wayne County School Board, Raymond learned a strong sense of duty and dedication to his community from an early age.
Raymond is a proud graduate of Goldsboro High School and holds three degrees from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management from NC A&T State University, a Masters in Public Administration from NC Central University, and a Doctorate in Education Leadership from Fayetteville State University. Those institutions instilled a deep commitment to service, equity, and opportunity in Raymond, and they continue to guide how he approaches public leadership. Prior to serving in the General Assembly, Raymond served his community as an educator and football coach, and made history as the first African American at-large member on the Wayne County Board of Education, where he also served as vice chairman. A decorated Gulf War combat veteran and former military policeman, Raymond served his country in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve, a record of service he continues today.
Following his time in the military, Raymond was hired by Wayne County to oversee the transition of paratransit service from private to local management and successfully reined in excessive costs, creating significant savings for Wayne County taxpayers. Following his success in Wayne County, he was hired by NCDOT as a statewide transportation planner, helping develop new public transportation systems across North Carolina, including in Eastern North Carolina.
In 2016, Raymond was elected to the At-Large seat on the Wayne County Board of Education, becoming the first African American member to hold the At-Large seat. Serving as Vice Chairman of the Board, Raymond pushed to prioritize the well-being of the district’s children, leading the fight against overcrowding in the county’s schools.
While in the state legislature, Raymond served on committees focusing on Education, Local Government, Finance, Military & Veterans Affairs, Appropriations, and Transportation. During his two terms, he proudly introduced legislation to invest in public education, revitalize communities in Eastern North Carolina, and to expand Medicaid to more than 600,000 North Carolinians who are now able to receive care.
Raymond resides in Goldsboro with his wife, Dr. Cortrina Smith, their three sons, Christopher, Myles, and Maxwell, and two daughters, Tracy and Ashley. He is an active community leader, serving as a Trustee at St. James AME Zion Church and participating in organizations like the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the Prince Hall Affiliated Free and Accepted Masons.