Another Democrat has tossed his hat in the ring as a potential challenger to Rep. Scott Perry (R-10) in the 10th Congressional District.
Mike O’Brien, a Marine Corps veteran and former TOPGUN pilot, announced that he is running for U.S. Congress “to defend democracy, defeat extremists like insurrectionist ringleader Scott Perry, and continue to serve the people of Pennsylvania.”
A graduate of Cheltenham High School, O’Brien graduated from the Naval Academy, earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from MIT, and served for 20 years as a TOPGUN fighter pilot and squadron commanding officer.
O’Brien – who flew with the callsign,”Snooki” – flew F/A-18 Hornets off of aircraft carriers, served in two combat deployments, graduated from the U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program (TOPGUN), and became an F-35C Lightning II pilot before becoming an instructor.
He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel last month and returned home to Pennsylvania to run for Congress in a district that has voted for Perry five times.
“Contrary to popular belief, the Marine Corps does not want cookie cutter,” he said. “If something needs to get done, go outside the box and get it done. The Marine Corps wants you to contribute your individual talents and ideas, especially if it helps you succeed.
“I spent the last 20 years defending democracy overseas. But we need more of that. Right here at home, right now,” says O’Brien in his opening campaign video.
“Congressman Scott Perry and his far-right gang of insurrectionists are a threat to democracy and a threat to our freedoms.
“That’s why I’m running for Congress right here in my home state of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania families need a fighter on their side who listens to them, who respects them, who cares more about them than about winning partisan food fights.”
O’Brien is married to Courtney Davidson, a Hanover native who graduated as the all-time leading scorer in Navy women’s basketball history. She currently serves as an Active Duty Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel and the Commanding Officer of a KC-130J squadron. They are the first and only married couple to command flying squadrons in Marine Corps history. The pair have two children.
He joins a Democratic field that includes Rick Coplen and Shamaine Daniels.
3 Responses
Issues? Where are your positions on at least a half dozen issues that impact PA citizens? You will be elected to be our voice in the legislature and we must know in advance how you are likely to vote! Just leaning on your military experience is not enough.
Dear Colonel O’Brien, I am a resident of the 10th congressional district of Pennsylvania. I am 78 years old and a registered Republican. I am highly encouraging you to run a successful campaign against Scott Perry. To say that I am disappointment with my current congressman does not begin to register my feelings about Perry. I have not served in the military, but my family has. My father was a sergeant major in World War II with three bronze stars, two of which were for valor. My brother served in the navy with the rank of commander as a navy dentist, attached to Marines. My youngest brother did a tour of Marine Jag that helped him to afford law school. Only the dentist and I survive at this time. I will pledge my time and effort to your campaign. Simply, Scott Perry is guilty of sedition. He has taken the oath of office to “preserve and protect the constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” in my opinion he has violated that oath in many instances. He will be a difficult candidate to defeat because of the gerrymandering in the 10th congressional district of Pennsylvania. As a retired school, counselor and principal, I will be able to make some contributions to your funding, but, at least importantly, I can contribute my time and effort to help you lodge a successful campaign. My reasoning for not changing my registration to democratic, is simply I feel that I can do more damage to Perry through conversations and op eds as a Republican. When you begin your Meet and Greet” in our District let me know. I might recommend to you to reach out and contact Dan Pischenary, the owner of century 21 real estate. I know that he has contributed heavily to Democratic candidates. Running against Perry. Good luck to you in your campaign. We need a congressman that will take care of retirees in district 10, who are not as fortunate as myself having a decent pension program. A key point for retired personnel is that I’m sure as you know, Perry voted against the inflation, reduction act. I’m not sure this particular act reduce inflation, but he did have components a very low cost for seniors who are diabetic, and give the ability for a Medicare to bargain for a lower prescription drug cost. As I am reasonably healthy for a 78-year-old male, I have not yet needed the benefits of this program, but I do know many of my contemporaries will profit from this legislation. Very truly yours, Frank Basehoar, Lower Allen, Township, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
I am not a Pennsylvania resident, like others, I view Scott Perry as a seditionist, he did not honor his oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution against enemies foreign and domestic.
I wish you the best in your campaign. This country needs honest politicians, who respect their oath and will not carry the contagion of fascism, authoritarianism and or prejudice.