Vietnam Hero, Businessman Considering PA Senate Run
David A. Christian, a decorated combat veteran of the Vietnam War, has formed an exploratory committee aimed at the Republican Senate nomination in Pennsylvania to take on Democrat Bob Casey Jr.
Vietnam Hero, Businessman Considering PA Senate Run
Thomas Fitzgerald, Inquirer Politics Writer
Pennsylvania Republican leaders have had no luck so far in their efforts to recruit a well-known challenger to take on Democratic Sen. Bob Casey in 2012.
Maybe David A. Christian of Bucks County will fit the bill.
Christian, a decorated Vietnam War combat veteran and businessman, announced Monday he was considering seeking the GOP Senate nomination.
"I have to go back to the old economic 'misery index,'" Christian, 62, said. "If it hadn't gone up so much I wouldn't even have considered running for office, to tell you the truth." But he said friends have convinced him the nation needs his job-creating talents after people he knows urged him to run.
Christian, a veterans activist and former government official, twice unsuccessfully ran for Congress against then-Democratic Rep. Peter Kostmayer, in 1984 and 1986. He lost by just 4,000 votes in the Reagan landslide year of 1984, and by 40,000 votes two years later.
During those campaigns, Christian was haunted by an investigation into whether he had overcharged the state rent for a building he owned that was to be used as a veterans' center. No charges were brought and the investigation was closed, but Kostmayer had grist for some tough attack ads.
"I have friends who are small business owners, and they'd like to hire people, but they're afraid" because of the uncertain cost of government regulations and taxes, Christian said. He said that the Obama administration's health-care overhaul should be repealed and a flat tax should be implemented to encourage economic growth and eliminate loopholes. "I've created jobs," he said.
Christian is an executive at a manufacturing company in Northeast Philadelphia that makes hydraulic equipment for servicing warplanes aboard aircraft carriers.
He said his exploration "is going to be short and sweet," and that whether he can raise enough money would be the most important consideration. Christian said he would put some of his own money into a campaign as well as raise contributions from others.
Casey, whose poll numbers are stronger than President Obama's in the state, has $3.1 million on hand, according to his campaign finance reports.
Christian, a former Airborne ranger and Green Beret, graduated Villanova University and the Rutgers University Law School. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star, and seven Purple Hearts, among other decorations for courage in combat.
Hey Fitzgerald- How many Purple Hearts did David Christian earn? "THE Purple Heart"? David Christian has more Purple Hearts than Bob Casey has jobs on his resume. Don't refer to them as "THE Purple Heart".— Mr. Smith- My bad. Christian earned seven Purple Hearts - one medal and six oak-leaf clusters. I have corrected the text.— Thomast Fitzgerald
- Great...another aging white business man looking to keep his pockets full and help the Republicans expand their agenda while they slash corporate taxes, social programs and public schools. If you make less that $200k a year and/or have friends or family that have needed help in tough times and you continue to vote republican you are a fool.
Thank you for your military service Mr. Christian, but that was 40 years ago. Now you are just another Republican carpet bagger looking out for your own best interests.— MtnClmr - Impressive.— Roger Podacter
Comment removed.- look
into this guy's background better...not to take away his impressive military servicel, but his dealings afterwards may warrant a closer look— FasterEddie - I seem to recall that back in the '84 and '86 races this guy was claiming he was also a Medal of Honor winner. True? If so, fine but there was also a lot of bad stuff about him that came out in those campaigns that negated all of his "positives". You should look a little more into the past campaigns.— union guy
- If Casey weren't born a Casey, he wouldn't have done anything in politics. What has he done in Washington? Do you even know that he's there? He follows Obama and Reid's marching orders. Christian is a true American hero and, being a Vietnam vet myself, feels he deserves an opportunity to run against Casey. Could you imagine having two senators like Toomey and Christian. Sure would be an improvement over Casey and Specter.— gerrywoods
- hey union guy what was it he said— chesterfield
- Wasn't he a war correspondent for Fox News a few years back? Is that a well known network?— downtownRM
- check into this guy back in the mid-80s, back before...and then during an after his previous political campaigns— FasterEddie
- While your at it, check into Casey's recent dealings with disgraced former PHA head, Carl Greene. Wasn't he on stage with Mr. Greene after awarding PHA a huge payday through the stimulus package? I wonder what happened to all that money.— downtownRM
- lotsa freekin' (PHA) parties— FasterEddie
- Casey's award is MIA.— jeandarc
- This just in... The 0bama Inquirer and Democrat Daily News endorse Mumbles Junior.— fafafooey
You can reach Tom Fitzgerald at 215-854-2718 or tfitzgerald@phillynews.com.
Reach Thomas at tfitzgerald@phillynews.com.
