PRX » Piece » Some candidates are campaigning on an increasingly rare credential: military experience

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LaLota is facing Democrat John Avlon in the race for New York's first congressional district., Credit: Courtesy Nick LaLota campaign" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/production.mediajoint.prx.org/public/piece_images/945715/LaLota_sign_medium.jpg" version="medium" width="180" /><div class="credit">Image by: Courtesy Nick LaLota campaign </div><div class="caption">A campaign sign for New York Republican Congressman Nick LaLota references his eight years of service in the Navy. LaLota is facing Democrat John Avlon in the race for New York's first congressional district. </div> </div> </div> <div class="column span-11 last"> <div class="piece-title-box" style="position:relative"> <h1>Some candidates are campaigning on an increasingly rare credential: military experience</h1> <p> From: <a href="https://exchange.prx.org/group_accounts/214572-americanhomefrontproject">American Homefront Project</a> <br/> Length: <strong>03:45</strong> </p> <div style='float:right; margin-top: -24px; position:relative'> <div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style" style='width: 96px; float:left; margin-top: 4px'> <a class="addthis_button_facebook" addthis:url="https://exchange.prx.org/p/548011" addthis:title="Some candidates are campaigning on an increasingly rare credential: military experience"></a> <a class="addthis_button_twitter" addthis:url="https://exchange.prx.org/p/548011" addthis:title="Some candidates are campaigning on an increasingly rare credential: military experience"></a> <a class="addthis_button_email" addthis:url="https://exchange.prx.org/p/548011" addthis:title="Some candidates are campaigning on an increasingly rare credential: military experience"></a> <a href="https://addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" class="addthis_button_compact" addthis:url="https://exchange.prx.org/p/548011" addthis:title="Some candidates are campaigning on an increasingly rare credential: military experience"></a> </div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=sysadminprx"></script> <div id='embed-this-button' class="action-button embed-button"><a><embed></a></div> <script>jQuery(function($){ $('#embed-this-button').toggle(function(){ $('#embed-this-box').fadeIn(); 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margin-right: 5px'/>Small Player</label> <textarea id='embed-548011-full' class='piece-embed' readonly='readonly'><script id='prx-p548011-embed' src='https://exchange.prx.org/p/548011/embed.js?size=full'></script> </textarea> <textarea id='embed-548011-small' class='piece-embed' readonly='readonly'><script id='prx-p548011-embed' src='https://exchange.prx.org/p/548011/embed.js?size=small'></script> </textarea> <script>jQuery(function($){ $('input[name=embed_size]').show().click(function(){ $('textarea#embed-548011-small').hide(); $('textarea#embed-548011-full').hide(); $('textarea#embed-548011-' + $(this).val()).show().select(); }).eq(0).click(); $('label[for=embed-radio-548011-full]').show(); $('label[for=embed-radio-548011-small]').show(); $('textarea#embed-548011-small').hide(); $('textarea.piece-embed').click(function(){ $(this).select(); }) });</script> </div> </div> </div> </div> <span class="piece-description-lead"> Only about a third of the members of Congress are veterans, a sharp decrease from the World War II and Vietnam eras. </span> </div> </div>   <div class="column span-16 last" style="margin-bottom:10px;"> <div class="piece-info" id="audio_version_play_selector"> <div id="audio-version-selector"> <div id="tab_player_1063912" class="audio-version selected-audio-version" style="float:left"> <a id="showlink-audio_version_1063912" onClick="show_audio('player_1063912');">Piece Audio</a> </div> </div> <div id="audio-player-container"> <div class="html-prx-player" id="player_1063912" style=''> <div class="instance"></div> <div class="interface"> <div class="deck"> <div class="readout"> <dl> <dt>Playing</dt> <dd><a href="https://exchange.prx.org/pieces/548011-some-candidates-are-campaigning-on-an-increasingly" target="blank">Some candidates are campaigning on an ...</a></dd> <dt>From</dt> <dd><a href="https://exchange.prx.org/group_accounts/214572-americanhomefrontproject" target="blank">American Homefront Project</a></dd> </dl> </div> <div class="controls"> <div class="progress"> <span class="time"></span> <div class="selector"> <button type="button" name="track" title="full" disabled>Track</button> <button type="button" name="track" title="buffer">Buffer</button> <button type="button" name="track" title="seek">Seek</button> <button type="button" name="track" title="playhead">Playhead</button> </div> <span class="duration"></span> </div> <div class="playback"> <button type="button" name="track" title="previous">Previous</button> <button type="button" name="track" title="play">Play</button> <button type="button" name="track" title="pause">Pause</button> <button type="button" name="track" title="next">Next</button> </div> <div class="volume"> <button type="button" name="volume" title="mute">Mute</button> <button type="button" name="volume" title="unmute">Unmute</button> <div class="selector"> <button type="button" name="volume" title="bar">Volume selector</button> <button type="button" name="volume" title="handle">Volume level indicator</button> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="playlist" style="display: none;"> <ul class="setup"> <li data-audio_file_id="5031154" data-derivative="broadcast.mp3" data-domain="https://exchange.prx.org/" data-duration="225" data-expires="1732728057" data-piece_id="548011" data-token="8bb2335c3e3342cadb843792043bb30e" data-type="audio_file" data-use="prxplayer" title="Vet candidates"></li> </ul> </div> <div class="summary"> <p> <img alt="Lalota_sign_small" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/production.mediajoint.prx.org/public/piece_images/945715/LaLota_sign_small.jpg" version="small" width="92" /> <p>For New York Representative Nick LaLota, his U.S. Navy service is a central part of his reelection campaign. It’s how he introduced himself in a recent campaign ad. On his lawn signs, the “o” in his name contains the silhouette of a saluting officer.</p> <p>The Republican congressman is running for reelection in New York’s first congressional district on eastern Long Island, the seat he’s held since last year.</p> <p>He said veterans can make great public servants, because the military teaches self-sacrifice and trains troops to put their personal agendas aside to accomplish larger goals.</p> <p>“That certainly was my training, that you put your ship and your shipmate before yourself,” LaLota said. “And the more time one has in that culture —that selfless culture, that pride-in-country culture, I think the more successful that individual can be in serving government whether it's an appointed role or an elected role.”</p> <p>In the eras of World War II and Vietnam, military service was a common resume line for candidates. In 1973, about 75% of Congress had served. But as the military evolved into an all-volunteer force, that number has dwindled to one-third.</p> <p>A number of programs that nurture veterans with political aspirations are trying to change that.</p> <p>“Folks that are in the U.S. military are some of the most highly trained, capable people in the world,” said Steven Lux with Syracuse University’s Veterans Program for Politics and Civic Engagement. “The amount of money that we invest — appropriately, I would argue — in our military, you just don’t want it to go to waste in a way. So if they have the passion and inclination, then let's just give them a little bit more training so they can participate in public life.”</p> <p>Over the course of several weeks, the Syracuse program teaches veterans about how campaigns work, how to fundraise, and how to define themselves for voters. They also learn ways to translate their military service into public service.</p> <p>“The idea is to take the mystery out of what it takes to run for office,” Lux said.</p> <p>Some veterans are naturally suited to elected office because they can be resilient team players as well as leaders, Lux said. They can offer unique perspectives on issues like public safety, national security and veterans benefits.</p> <p>But often, they come to the program very green politically.</p> <p>“Step number one, actually, is figuring out what party you're in,” Lux said. “A lot of the military folks walk in the door and they say, ‘Well, I'm really more of a moderate. I'd like to be an independent.’ It's a very, very hard thing to do to run as an independent.”</p> <p>The Syracuse University program has graduated about 250 candidates since it started about five years ago.</p> <p>Nick LaLota said his Navy service is a signal to voters about his priorities.</p> <p>“I do rely upon my service to tell voters, especially those who don't know me, who I am and what I'm about — not only in a rearview mirror looking way… but more importantly, a forward looking view on how they can predict what I would do.”</p> <p>LaLota’s Democratic challenger is former CNN anchor, John Avlon, whose campaign didn’t respond to a request for comment. But Avlon has said that no matter LaLota’s history, he’s too extreme to stay in office.</p> <p><a class="Link" href="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2024/09/30/here-are-all-the-veterans-running-for-congress-in-2024/">The Military Times</a> has counted 188 veterans now running for Congress.</p> <p><em>This story was produced by the American Homefront Project, a public media collaboration that reports on American military life and veterans.</em></p> </p> </div> <div class="footer"> <p>Some candidates are campaigning on an ... | 03:45</p> <button name="share">Share</button> <a href="https://www.prx.org/privacy-policy" target="_blank" class="privacy">Privacy</a> <a href="//exchange.prx.org" class="logo">exchange.prx.org</a> </div> <div class="share"> <button name="dismiss">×</button> <h2>Share this piece:</h2> <ul> <script> var addthis_share = { url: "https://exchange.prx.org/p/548011", title: "Some candidates are campaigning on an increasingly rare credential: military experience on PRX"} </script>  <li class='share-this-link'><a class='addthis_button_twitter' addthis:url='https://exchange.prx.org/p/548011' addthis:title='Some candidates are campaigning on an increasingly rare credential: military experience'>Twitter</a></li> <li class='share-this-link'><a class='addthis_button_facebook' addthis:url='https://exchange.prx.org/p/548011' addthis:title='Some candidates are campaigning on an increasingly rare credential: military experience'>Facebook</a></li> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=sysadminprx"></script>  </ul> <h2>Embed on your website:</h2> <textarea id='embed-548011-full' class='piece-embed' readonly='readonly'><script id='prx-p548011-embed' src='https://exchange.prx.org/p/548011/embed.js?size=full'></script> </textarea> </div> </div> </div> <div style="clear:both;"></div> </div> </div> </div>    <div class="piece-description" style="clear:left;"> <a name="description"></a> <h3>Piece Description</h3> <p><p>For New York Representative Nick LaLota, his U.S. Navy service is a central part of his reelection campaign. It’s how he introduced himself in a recent campaign ad. On his lawn signs, the “o” in his name contains the silhouette of a saluting officer.</p> <p>The Republican congressman is running for reelection in New York’s first congressional district on eastern Long Island, the seat he’s held since last year.</p> <p>He said veterans can make great public servants, because the military teaches self-sacrifice and trains troops to put their personal agendas aside to accomplish larger goals.</p> <p>“That certainly was my training, that you put your ship and your shipmate before yourself,” LaLota said. “And the more time one has in that culture —that selfless culture, that pride-in-country culture, I think the more successful that individual can be in serving government whether it's an appointed role or an elected role.”</p> <p>In the eras of World War II and Vietnam, military service was a common resume line for candidates. In 1973, about 75% of Congress had served. But as the military evolved into an all-volunteer force, that number has dwindled to one-third.</p> <p>A number of programs that nurture veterans with political aspirations are trying to change that.</p> <p>“Folks that are in the U.S. military are some of the most highly trained, capable people in the world,” said Steven Lux with Syracuse University’s Veterans Program for Politics and Civic Engagement. “The amount of money that we invest — appropriately, I would argue — in our military, you just don’t want it to go to waste in a way. So if they have the passion and inclination, then let's just give them a little bit more training so they can participate in public life.”</p> <p>Over the course of several weeks, the Syracuse program teaches veterans about how campaigns work, how to fundraise, and how to define themselves for voters. They also learn ways to translate their military service into public service.</p> <p>“The idea is to take the mystery out of what it takes to run for office,” Lux said.</p> <p>Some veterans are naturally suited to elected office because they can be resilient team players as well as leaders, Lux said. They can offer unique perspectives on issues like public safety, national security and veterans benefits.</p> <p>But often, they come to the program very green politically.</p> <p>“Step number one, actually, is figuring out what party you're in,” Lux said. “A lot of the military folks walk in the door and they say, ‘Well, I'm really more of a moderate. I'd like to be an independent.’ It's a very, very hard thing to do to run as an independent.”</p> <p>The Syracuse University program has graduated about 250 candidates since it started about five years ago.</p> <p>Nick LaLota said his Navy service is a signal to voters about his priorities.</p> <p>“I do rely upon my service to tell voters, especially those who don't know me, who I am and what I'm about — not only in a rearview mirror looking way… but more importantly, a forward looking view on how they can predict what I would do.”</p> <p>LaLota’s Democratic challenger is former CNN anchor, John Avlon, whose campaign didn’t respond to a request for comment. But Avlon has said that no matter LaLota’s history, he’s too extreme to stay in office.</p> <p><a class="Link" href="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2024/09/30/here-are-all-the-veterans-running-for-congress-in-2024/">The Military Times</a> has counted 188 veterans now running for Congress.</p> <p><em>This story was produced by the American Homefront Project, a public media collaboration that reports on American military life and veterans.</em></p></p> </div> <div> <h3>Comments</h3> <p>The producer has turned off comments on this piece.</p> </div> <div> <div id="piece-transcripts"> <h3>Transcript</h3> <div> <p>The number of political candidates who are military veterans is getting smaller. There's been a steady decline since the draft ended in the 1970s. Still, some candidates this year are trying to use their military service to win votes. </p> <p>Desiree Diorio [DEE Oreo] reports for the American Homefront Project.</p> <p>On his website and in a recent campaign ad, Republican Congressman Nick LaLota from New York touts his military record right out of the gate. </p> <p>(Campaign ad: “After the Navy, I came home to marry my high school sweetheart and start a family. We’ve learned compromise is critical. Congress is no different. I’m Nick Lalota, taking on…” fade out) 09</p> <p>He’s running for reelection in New York’s first congressional district on eastern Long Island, the seat he’s held since last year. </p> <p>LaLota even mentioned his veteran status at a news conference last month… about sewer infrastructure. </p> <p>(Fa... <br /><a href="/pieces/548011/transcripts/1063912">Read the full transcript</a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div> <h3>Intro and Outro</h3> <strong>INTRO:</strong> <p>The number of political candidates who are military veterans is getting smaller. There's been a steady decline since the draft ended in the 1970s. Still, some candidates this year are trying to use their military service to win votes. </p> <p>Desiree Diorio [DEE Oreo] reports for the American Homefront Project.</p> <strong>OUTRO:</strong> <p></p> </div> <h3>Related Website</h3> <div><a href="www.americanhomefrontproject.org"><p>www.americanhomefrontproject.org</p></a></div> </div> <div class="column span-6 last sidebar" style="float:right;"> <div class="sidebar-content piece-page"> <h2><a href="/users/new">Sign up for PRX</a></h2> <h2>Log in</h3> <div class='labeled-form splash-page' > <h2><a href="/sessions/new">Login</a></h2> </div> </div> <div class="sidebar-content"> <h3>Production Information</h3> <ul class="other-information"> <li> Added to PRX ~1 month ago </li> <li>Produced: Oct 21, 2024</li> <li>Producers: Desiree D'Iorio </li> </ul> <h3>Piece Statistics</h3> <ul> <li class="piece-rating"><div>Average rating:</div><div class='jquery-stars-box' id='piece_548011-rating-box' style='width:200px'><input name="piece_548011-rating" class="star {half:true}" type="radio" disabled="disabled" /> <input name="piece_548011-rating" class="star {half:true}" type="radio" disabled="disabled" /> <input name="piece_548011-rating" class="star {half:true}" type="radio" disabled="disabled" /> <input name="piece_548011-rating" class="star {half:true}" type="radio" disabled="disabled" /> <input name="piece_548011-rating" class="star {half:true}" type="radio" disabled="disabled" /> <input name="piece_548011-rating" class="star {half:true}" type="radio" disabled="disabled" /> <input name="piece_548011-rating" class="star {half:true}" type="radio" disabled="disabled" /> <input name="piece_548011-rating" class="star {half:true}" type="radio" disabled="disabled" /> <input name="piece_548011-rating" class="star {half:true}" type="radio" disabled="disabled" /> <input name="piece_548011-rating" class="star {half:true}" type="radio" disabled="disabled" /></div><br/></li> </ul> <div class="piece-action-box"> <h3>Actions</h3> <ul> <li class="launch-popup"> <a href="#" onclick="window.open('/pieces/548011-some-candidates-are-campaigning-on-an-increasingly/floating_piece','_blank','width=610,height=295,scrollbars=0,resizable=0,toolbar=0,location=0,status=1');; 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PRX » Piece » Some candidates are campaigning on an increasingly rare credential: military experience