With the Election now less than one month away, we are revisiting a list of Republican candidates who will be on the ballots for both state and federal races in November. This post is a follow-up to a list we released earlier this year, 2022 Conservative Veterans Running for Office.
The following 8 candidates were all featured on that list and are running in Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio. Each follow up below features a link to their dedicated profile on 2022 Conservative Veterans Running for Office, as well as a brief overview of their bios, and finally, who they will be facing in November.
The best part is, they’re all advancing to the final round: the midterm election! Check out the update below!
2022 Conservative Veterans on the Ballot in Georgia
Preston Wren, Georgia House of Representatives
As the only Republican running on the primary ticket to represent District 106 in the Georgia House of Representatives, Veteran Preston Wren, will advance to the final ticket in November. Wren served in the US Navy from 2006-2014 as a military police officer. Following his career in the military, Wren became a police sergeant in the USC school system, as well as a police instructor. He stands for Election Integrity, Parent’s Rights, Children’s Rights, Informed Consent, Safe Communities, and Low Taxes. Wren will face incumbent Democrat, Shelly Hutchinson, in the midterm election.
Rey Martinez, Georgia House of Representatives
The seat to represent District 111 in the Georgia House of Representatives is up for grabs, and as the only Republican running, Veteran Rey Martinez, will advance in November to try and win it after securing a primary victory earlier this year. Martinez served in the US Navy for 25 years, including three tours in the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Noble Eagle. While serving in the Navy Reserves, Rey Martinez was elected to the City Council (2011) and eventually mayor of the city of Loganville, Georgia. He is also a small business owner as the proprietor of Rey’s Cuban Grill. He will face Democrat challenger, Ryan Cox, in November.
2022 Conservative Veterans on the Ballot in Michigan
Dave Morgan, Michigan House of Representatives
Veteran Dave Morgan was the only Republican running to represent District 62 in the Michigan House of Representatives, so he will advance to November. Morgan also ran for this seat in 2020. Morgan served in the US Airforce for over a decade, between 1989 & 2001. He has also worked as a police officer, as Pennfield Charter Township Supervisor, as an Amtrak locomotive engineer, and as President of Morgan Properties of Arizona and Michigan. As he states on his campaign website, Morgan believes “a veteran’s service never ends.” He will face incumbent Democrat, Jim Haadsma, in a 2020 rematch next month.
2022 Conservative Veterans on the Ballot in Ohio
Bernard Willis, Ohio House of Representatives
Veteran Bernard Willis was the only Republican running in the primary to represent District 74 in the Ohio House of Representatives and will advance to November. His 30-year military career includes service as an officer in the US Air Force, Air National Guard, and reserves. He obtained degrees from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1991, and a graduate degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2018. His military distinctions include being a multi-tour commander and a F16 & unmanned MQ-1 Predator pilot. He is running on a conservative platform which includes school board accountability, economic development, and support for law enforcement. He will face fellow challenger, Democrat Daniel Saks, in November.
Kristopher Anderson, Ohio House of Representatives
Veteran Kristopher Anderson was unopposed in the Republican primary to represent District 33 in the Ohio House of Representatives and has advanced to the general election. Anderson’s brief career in the Army was cut short by an injury but he made it his mission to serve his community in other ways. He has worked in private security and tax preparation, in addition to volunteer work and leading a conservative youth organization at the University of Akron. His platform focuses on economic development and returning power to the people of Ohio from those who only run for office out of personal interest. He will run against Democratic incumbent Tavia Galonski in November.
Landry Simmons Jr., Ohio State Senate
Veteran Landry Simmons Jr ran unopposed in the Republican primary to represent District 23 in the Ohio State Senate. He served in the US Navy in 1989 and has gone on to become a highly decorated Law Enforcement Officer. Of the 30 years he has served in law enforcement, 25 have been spent as a Cuyahoga County Deputy Sheriff. “In 2016 Landry M. Simmons Jr made his first political venture through seeking and achieving election as a member of the Cuyahoga County Party 11-B Committee,” according to his campaign. He will face incumbent Democrat, Nickie Antonio, in November.
Orlando Sonza, Ohio State Senate
Army Veteran Orlando Sonza has advanced from the Republican primary to represent District 9 in the Ohio State Senate. After graduating at the top of his class at West Point, Sonza was commissioned as a second lieutenant and served active duty with the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. He served as an infantry and finance officer while there. Upon leaving the military, Sonza obtained his master’s degree in taxation from the University of Cincinnati and his law degree from Georgetown Law and has worked as a tax accountant and currently at the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, according to his campaign. He is running to improve education, safety, and economic growth in Ohio, and will face off against Democrat Catherine Ingram in November.
Steve Demetriou, Ohio State House of Representatives
Army Veteran Steve Demetriou will advance to the general election in November after running unopposed in the Republican primary to represent District 35 in the Ohio House of Representatives. His military history includes graduating from West Point with a degree in economics, being commissioned as an infantry officer, earning a Ranger Tab, successfully completing Airborne training, and being a platoon leader. He served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom and was awarded a Bronze Star for his service. Demetriou has been a small business owner and currently runs an investment business with his family. His platform includes strengthening the economy, school choice, supporting first responders, and protecting the Constitution. He will face Democrat challenger Lori O’Neill in November.
Vote Vets on November 8th
This November, don’t forget to Vote Vets!
