US ELections: At least 16 New Veterans Elected to Congress, a Record High for Our Community
An historic election for the new veterans movement

NEW YORK (Nov. 7, 2012) -- Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan group representing veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, reports that American voters elected a record number of new veterans into the U.S. Congress. Last night, an historic 16 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan were elected to Congress, and there are still three veteran races that are too close to call in Arizona and Florida. 19 of the 42 OIF and OEF veterans who ran in this cycle may be joining the next Congress.
“Whether your Presidential candidate won or lost, all Americans have something  to be proud about today. Of the 42 new veterans that ran this cycle, at least 16 of them were elected to office last night. These Senators and Representatives come from both parties and they bring a new dynamic, pragmatic and focused leadership for the country,” said Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA Founder and CEO. “Last night is another example of the strength and potential of the New Greatest Generation. We are hopeful that these veterans will work together in Congress just like they did in combat and lead Washington in a new direction.”
IAVA is a nonpartisan group and does not endorse political candidates of any party.
“These new veterans have an unprecedented opportunity to make progress on issues critical to the veteran community, to include employment, education, mental healthcare and VA reform. Now that the election is over, we hope all Americans will unite around these new leaders to tackle these entrenched challenges. It is our moral obligation and civic duty to support the men and women who serve, and there’s no better time to rally around them than Veterans Day this weekend,” said Rieckhoff.
IAVA is organizing at least 25 events around the country, including a memorial service at Ground Zero, parades in New York City and San Francisco, service projects in Washington, DC and St. Louis.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the nation's first and largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, has more than 200,000 Member Veterans and civilian supporters nationwide. IAVA recently received the highest rating -- four-stars -- from Charity Navigator, America's largest charity evaluator.