By Erica Thomas
A new Republican Senate candidate emerged Tuesday after Mike Durant made his intentions known.
The former POW and author of “In the Company of Heroes” said he is ready to continue his service to the country by becoming a U.S. Senator.
Durant retired from the Army in 2001 as a Chief Warrant Officer 4. He was part of several combat operations but one of them has become well known, thanks to Hollywood. During Operation Gothic Serpent, the Black Hawk Pilot was in one of several helicopters shot down in 1993 and he was taken prisoner for 11 days. He has been open about speaking about his terrifying experience. The movie “Black Hawk Down” was later made, depicting moments from the mission.
Durant's performance as a military pilot has distinguished him as one of aviation’s best. Since he retired, he started Pinnacle Solutions, an aerospace industry business. Now he is ready to take on a new mission.
The Senate candidate was inspired to run for Senate after seeing concerning actions from politicians in Washington. He said watching what happened in Afghanistan inspired him to do something.
“The career politicians have ruined this country, and their leader Joe Biden is pushing us to the brink,” Durant said. “Between ridiculous vaccine mandates, trillions in spending, and constant assaults on innocent life and the 2nd Amendment, it’s clear that we need to mobilize people from outside of politics to step forward and serve.”
Others in the senate race include Republicans U.S. Rep. Mo Books, former Ambassador to Slovenia Lynda Blanchard, businesswoman Jessica Taylor, former Business Council of Alabama President and CEO Katie Boyd Britt, and Mark Dunn. Former Brighton Mayor Brandaun Dean is running as a Democrat.
