Army veteran Dan Helmer, who served deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, has announced he plans to run for a seat in Congress representing Virginia, reports Loudoun Now, a publication in northern Virginia.
Helmer, 35, plans to run against Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) for her seat representing Virginia's 10th District in 2018.
He said he made the decision to go into politics after watching the inauguration of President Trump in January.
"The dark vision of our country reflected in that speech is not the America I know," Helmer said. "It doesn't reflect the people that I've served with overseas."
Helmer said the diversity of Virginia's 10th District and his military service give him a starting point to bridge the partisan divide.
His awards include the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He has also received a Rhodes Scholarship.
A resident of Fairfax County, Virginia, he works for the Boston Consulting Group, a strategy firm, and has had a leading role in the company's veterans outreach program.
Mackenzie Wolf is an editorial intern for Military Times.
