A Republican Win in Florida's 22nd Congressional District

In looking at the field of candidates running for Congress this year, some are very impressive. One such candidate is Allen West, running for Congress in Florida's 22nd Congressional District, which is composed of South Florida's coastal region between West Palm Beach and Northern Broward County. West was a career solider, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. His service in Iraq was noteworthy for the loyalty he garnered from his men and the incident where he was charged with violating UCMJ in interrogating a civilian Iraqi police officer whom he believed had information on an attack. In this incident, he assaulted the man and fired a weapon near his head. West was unapologetic about the incident and is quoted as saying:

"If it's about the lives of my men and their safety, I'd go through hell with a gasoline can."

Soldiers under him greatly admire his leadership and speak about it in this video:



Since retirement, Lt-Col. West became a teacher (as a fellow educator, I would have loved to sit in on one of his classes) and ran for Congress in 2008, not winning. He is a rising star in the Republican Party and I wish him the best in his campaign. Allen West will be one of many Republican wins in Florida this midterm election.

Here is a recent interview of West on Hannity: