Alek Skarlatos
| Aleksander R. “Alek” Skarlatos | |
 | |
| Born | October 10, 1992 Castro Valley, California |
|---|---|
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Umpqua Community College |
| Occupation | Retired Army specialist |
| Religion | Orthodox Christian |
Military Service
| |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 2012–2017 |
| Rank | Specialist |
| Unit | Oregon Army National Guard |
| Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Air Assault Badge Expert Marksmanship Badge 41st Infantry Division Combat Service Identification Badge 186th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia Overseas Service Bar Meritorious Unit Commendation Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Soldier's Medal Army Achievement Medal Army Good Conduct Medal National Defense Service Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal Two Bronze Stars Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal Army Overseas Service Ribbon Legion of Honour, Knight NATO Medal Oregon Distinguished Service Medal Oregon Faithful Service Ribbon |
Aleksander Reed “Alek” Skarlatos (born October 10, 1992 (age 31)) is a U.S. National Guard soldier and conservative Republican currently running for United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 4th congressional district in the 2020 elections to challenge longtime Democrat incumbent Peter DeFazio, a far-leftist career politician who backed and co-sponsored the Green New Deal[1] and Medicare for All bills.[2]
Contents
Early life/education
Skarlatos was born in Castro Valley, California to Emanuel Skarlatos and Heidi Hansen. He later moved to Oregon, where he attended and graduated from Roseburg High School and then attended Umpqua Community College.
Thalys train attack
In October 2015, as Skarlatos and two of his friends were on a Thayls train from Brussels to Paris, a terrorist stepped out of a bathroom armed with an AK-47, box cutter, pistol, and gasoline jar.[3][4] A Frenchman and an American attempted to stop the armed terrorist, and the latter was shot. One of Skarlatos' friends was injured while attacking the gunman, and Skarlato himself managed to grab the rifle, attack the terrorist in the head with the nozzle while he was strangled to the point of unconsciousness by Skarlatos' injured friend. Skarlatos then performed a crucial treatment on the American who was shot, saving his life.
Skarlatos was heavily praised following his heroism; this included being honored by the Department of Defense[5] in addition to receiving the highest French honor for having helped stopped the train attack.[6] He also received a medal and strong recognition from then-president Barack Obama.[7]
2020 U.S. House election in Oregon's 4th district
Skarlatos announced in mid-August 2019 his run for U.S. House of Representatives to challenge Rep. Peter DeFazio.[8] He proceeded to win his party's primary election with nearly 90% of the votes cast.[9]
Skarlatos released a campaign ad on September 8, 2020 strongly criticizing Rep. DeFazio for being out-of-touch with Oregon's 4th congressional district;[10] it quickly became popular, helping boost his candidacy.[11] He has previously accurately[12] noted that the incumbent progressive representative has voted with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 96% of the time.[13] In an interview with Breitbart, Skarlatos pointed out the lack of accomplishments made by DeFazio while the district has suffered economically with the latter being in office.[14]
While "experts" consider the race to lean in DeFazio's favor,[15] some noted that the race have tightened.[16][17] The race notably has drawn strong national attention.[7] While Donald Trump lost the district in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Hillary Clinton only carried it by 0.1% of the votes cast,[18] likely signally a possible upset in the 2020 elections.
Skarlatos wrote an op-ed in mid-October 2020 on The Register-Guard on "standing up to the D.C. machine".[19]
References
- ↑ H.Res.109 - Recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal.
- ↑ H.R.1384 - Medicare for All Act of 2019
- ↑ Revealed: The mystery man who tackled AK-47 assault rifle from train gunman
- ↑ 'Wrong Place, Right People': U.S. Servicemen, Passengers Speak Out after Foiling Possible Terror Attack on European Train
- ↑ Department of Defense honors heroes with highest recognition
- ↑ Three Americans, Briton get highest French honor for stopping train attack
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Oregon’s 4th Congressional District draws national attention
- ↑ Skarlatos, known for stopping terror attack, announces run for Congress
- ↑ Two references:
- ↑ Oregon is Burning
- ↑ Hero veteran’s ‘Oregon is burning’ campaign ad sweeps the internet for originality and fire
- ↑ Compare the voting records of Peter A. DeFazio and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in 2019-20.
- ↑ Hero from Paris train attack running to unseat liberal Oregon Democrat: 'He votes with AOC 96 percent of the time'
- ↑ Watch: Alek Skarlatos, Hero Who Thwarted Terrorist Train Attack, Takes on His Democrat Opponent in Key Oregon District
- ↑ 17-term incumbent Rep. Peter DeFazio fights to retain his seat against Republican Alek Skarlatos
- ↑ Skarlatos' fundraising surge may signal tough race for Oregon's DeFazio
- ↑ Dem chairman's race tightens as GOP 'hero' pulls in millions
- ↑ The 2016 Presidential Election by Congressional District
- ↑ Alek Skarlatos, running for U.S. House: Standing up to the D.C. machine
