Warner Launches Veterans Support Group for West Virginia Governor Campaign

picture by: Steven Allen Adams

Pictured from left are John C. “Doc” Bahnsen, a retired U.S. Military brigadier normal from Hancock County, main a coalition of veterans and army households supporting Secretary of State Mac Warner for the Republican nomination for governor of West Virginia.

CHARLESTON — West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner is hoping to capitalize on his army service as he seeks the Republican nomination for governor in 2024, launching a coalition of veterans that help his marketing campaign.

Warner launched his Veterans and Navy Households Coalition Monday afternoon on the riverside steps of the State Capitol Constructing in Charleston.

“We’ve all stood guard world wide,” Warner mentioned. “Now, we’re going to face guard right here in West Virginia defending the values with honor, integrity, and braveness.”

Warner’s Veterans and Navy Households Coalition consists of greater than 100 veterans and members of the family of veterans and energetic service members from all of West Virginia’s 55 counties. Among the coalition members had been available for Monday’s announcement.

Main the coalition is John C. “Doc” Bahnsen, a retired U.S. Military brigadier normal from Hancock County who has lengthy performed a background function in West Virginia Republican politics.

“I’m pleased with him. I’m pleased with his household. I’m proud he requested me to assist,” Bahnsen mentioned. “I would like each one among you who stroll away from right here at this time and return, put your finger in individuals’s faces, and inform them they need to go vote. We’ve received a man who can lead this state and do the correct factor. He’s completely trustworthy. He’s received a mannequin household. That is the type of man you need within the workplace of governor within the state of West Virginia.”

A 1956 graduate of the U.S. Navy Academy at West Level, Bahnsen made a reputation for himself within the Military Air Cavalry throughout the Vietnam Conflict flying the AH-1G Cobra gunship in response to the Military Aviation Affiliation of America. His closing project throughout his profession was Chief of Workers for the III Armored Corps at Fort Hood, Texas, retiring in 1986. He was inducted into the Military Aviation Corridor of Fame in 2007.

Throughout his service, Bahnsen was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross; a number of Silver Stars, Legions of Advantage, Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star Medal with three Valor units; two Purple Hearts, the Meritorious Service Medal; 50 Air Medals, three with Valor units; and the three Military Commendation Medals, together with one for Valor. He’s thought-about one of the vital adorned Vietnam veterans.

“All I can inform you is I wish to see everybody stroll away from right here motivated to get Mac elected,” Bahnsen mentioned.

Warner is in the course of his second time period as secretary of state, first taking workplace in 2017. Warner first introduced his candidacy for governor in January in entrance of the West Virginia Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol Complicated, making his army companies an vital facet of his marketing campaign.

If he wins the Republican main and the overall election in 2024, Warner could be the primary governor with army service in almost 25 years because the late Cecil Underwood served his second time period as governor from 1997 to 2001. Underwood was an U.S. Military reservist throughout World Conflict II.

“Veterans made this nation. They gave us the freedoms all of us take pleasure in,” Warner mentioned. “It’s this unbroken band of brothers from again previous to after we turned a rustic by way of the widespread period into at this time that stand tall. We’re the land of the free as a result of we’re the house of the courageous.”

Warner served 23 years as a U.S. Military officer, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He’s a graduate of the USA Navy Academy at West Level and the West Virginia College School of Regulation. He served most of his army service within the Military’ Choose Advocate Basic Corps, a profession that took him from capturing alleged battle criminals for the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice on the Hague to Chief of Worldwide Regulation for the U.S. Military in Europe.

Warner’s household has a historical past of each army and public service. In 2022, Warner’s spouse, Debbie Regulation Warner, gained a seat to the Home of Delegates as a Republican, The Warners have 4 kids who all went on to have careers within the U.S. Military, a few of whom returned to civilian life. A brother, Monty Warner, is a retired U.S. Military colonel and former Republican candidate for governor in 2004.

Warner is one among a number of Republican candidates who’ve introduced for governor, together with State Auditor J.B. McCuskey, Del. Moore Capito, and vehicle dealership proprietor Chris Miller. Different pre-candidates embody Rashida Yost, Edwin Vanover, and Terri Bradshaw.