Iraq Veterans for Congress, a national veterans group, today endorsed Republican Justin Bernier for U.S. Congress in Connecticut's 5th District.
D. Patrick Mahoney, Vice President of Iraq Veterans for Congress (IVC), said, “We need more veterans serving in Congress, and with his service in Afghanistan, Justin Bernier understands what it takes to defend our country. IVC is proud to support Justin’s campaign for Congress in Connecticut’s 5th District.”
Mahoney went on to say, “Justin served as Connecticut’s Director of Military Affairs, so he also has experience serving the military as a civilian.”
Bernier responded, “I am honored to have the endorsement of Iraq Veterans for Congress and I thank its members for their vote of confidence. We need more veterans in Congress, so I applaud Mr. Mahoney and his organization for their efforts to make this goal a reality.”
“We need more members of Congress watching out for our injured and retired veterans,” Bernier added. “I’m especially concerned that wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are not getting the health care and access to facilities they need to recover. The veterans spending bill needs to be the first priority in our budget – not the last.”
Iraq Veterans for Congress was founded in 2008 with the mission of electing veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan to the U.S. House and Senate. In 2008 two of IVC’s endorsed candidates, Congressman Duncan Hunter, Jr. (CA-52) and Congressman Mike Coffman (CO-6), won election. This year the organization has endorsed more than thirty candidates across the country.
Bernier, a Navy intelligence officer, is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan from 2007. He is a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Bernier served in Governor M. Jodi Rell’s cabinet as the Director of Military Affairs. He and his wife, Jennie, live in Plainville.