Republicans turn to military veterans to help flip control of House in midterms
GOP candidates with military experience are competing in swing districts. After seeing Democrats pick up seats with a similar strategy in 2018 and fielding veterans in 2020, the party sees an opening.
In the 1970s three of every four lawmakers in Congress had served in the U.S. military. That number is now down to about one in six. Republicans are looking to a diverse group of veterans who are candidates this cycle to change those numbers, as well as control of the House of Representatives and — potentially — the face of the party.
Jennifer-Ruth Green watched a polarized House chamber during the 2020 State of the Union address and thought her military background could help her make a difference.
But she admitted in an interview with NPR: "I honestly had zero idea about what running for Congress would look like."
She was told by fellow Republicans she had no chance to win in an Indiana
