In the runup to the November elections, SOAA is tracking four candidates with special operations backgrounds who are participating in the upcoming race. Learn more about each below:
Dan Green, Florida’s 9th District
A Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Dr. Daniel Green’s special operations experience during his 23 years of military service included tours as an embedded engagement officer during two SEAL Team deployments in Fallujah, Iraq and southern Afghanistan, as well as service in Kabul and Baghdad.
Green was appointed the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development in 2019, and received multiple accolades during his public service, including the Secretary of Defense’s Medal for Outstanding Public Service, the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Exceptional Public Service Award, the U.S. State Department’s Superior Honor Award, and the U.S. Army’s Superior Civilian Honor Award.
Chris Shea, Connecticut’s 5th District
In 1991, Chris Shea enlisted as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy before successfully completing BUD/S and Special Forces Medic training. In 2012, Shea was commissioned as a Navy Warrant Officer. His military career spanned more than 30 years, and included service with SEAL Teams 8 and 18 and tours at the Pentagon and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.
Shea’s service has continued outside the military. He has worked as a firefighter since 2009, and founded the nonprofit Hero to Hero, Inc., which helps veterans transition into first responder careers.
Greg Cunningham, New Mexico’s 2nd District
A former Recon Marine and combat veteran, Greg Cunningham served his state as a police officer and undercover detective before starting his own private investigations firm. A faith-focused candidate, he hopes to continue protecting New Mexicans in Congress.
Cait Conley – New York’s 17th District
Cait Conley began working on her application to the United States Military Academy at West Point the day after the terror attacks of 9/11. She graduated from West Point in the top 2% of her class, and went on to deploy six times to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other combat zones.
Among the first women with service on the tactical side of the special operations community, she also received three Bronze Stars during her 16 years of active duty service.
Conley has continued to serve the nation as the National Security Council’s Director for Counterterrorism and as Senior Advisor to the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
We are proud to see these candidates with service at the tip of the spear running for office to continue their service to the American people.
