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New Castle – On Saturday, March 7, we posted an announcement from Ed Brandt, regarding his run for the US Congress.
Yesterday, March 11, a Delaware news organization ran a story that stated Brandt “might have gotten himself in hot water when he announced his candidacy last week.”
The idea was that Brandt may have violated a U.S. Department of Defense directive that expressly forbids active-duty service members from speaking in front of partisan political gatherings.
In response to the story Brandt released the following statement this morning.
Ed Brandt was currently on active status with the National Guard when he announced that he is running for the lone congressional seat while at an event over the weekend.
Brandt received a guidance from the Office of the National Guard’s Judge Advocate General. Because Brandt’s orders are less than 270 days DoDD 1344.10 Sec. 4.2.3 allows his candidacy as long as there is no interference with the performance of his duties.
Ed is passionate and serious about his campaigning efforts to represent the people of Delaware, therefore Ed plans to accelerate his release from Active Duty status and dedicate full time attention to putting the issues of the first state first.
Original Announcement
Hartly – Ed Brandt, a Chaplain Brigadier General in the Army National Guard, announced his candidacy for United States House of Representatives Friday night at a Kent County Republican Dinner, according to a statement released this afternoon. He will seek the Republican nomination for Delaware’s At-Large Congressional seat.
“Too frequently the political class in Washington focuses on the issues that divide us most, and ignore the real challenges the people of Delaware face.” Brandt said. “I believe it’s time we put the First State first.”, said Brandt.
Ed is an ordained Presbyterian minister having served congregations in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Southern California ranging in memberships from 50 to 1200 in rural, suburban and urban settings. He is also a commissioned officer in the Delaware National Guard and attained the rank of Brigadier General. He currently serves as the United States Army Deputy Chief of Chaplains for the Army National Guard and the Senior Army National Guard Chaplain, responsible for providing pastoral care to nearly 350,000 soldiers and supporting the work of nearly 700 National Guard Chaplains.
Ed deployed to Iraq in 2008-2009 with the 261st Signal Brigade, Smyrna, Delaware and was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service.
As a chaplain in the Army National Guard, Brandt served soldiers of all faiths. “You talk about the changes people have, the struggles people have and their common shared experiences.”
When discussing his reasons for running, he commented: “I have painfully witnessed the impact of government shutdowns. I am committed to fulfilling our sacred promise to not only our nation’s veterans, but to Delawareans that are struggling in today’s economy, finding a solution to the Opioid Crisis, providing the best educational opportunities for our youth, and ensuring proper care for Delawareans that have entered their Golden Years.” He continued.
“My life’s work has been serving God and Country. I look forward to continuing this lifestyle of service in the United States Congress.“
Ed believes in community and is a member of the Brandywine Hundred Rotary Club, a Past President of the Hockessin Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow.
He lives in Brandywine Hundred with his wife, Jane, and has three grown children and two grandchildren. Together, Ed and Jane have a beautiful Akita. A formal campaign kickoff will be announced in the coming weeks.
Source: Ed Brandt
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