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Comstock Gets Second Challenger

Dan Helmer is West Point grad, Rhodes Scholar and decorated vet

Dan Helmer is a West Point graduate and a Rhodes Scholar who served in the Army in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Screenshot: DanHemner.com)
Dan Helmer is a West Point graduate and a Rhodes Scholar who served in the Army in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Screenshot: DanHemner.com)

Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock received a second Democratic challenger on Tuesday.

Dan Helmer, a 35-year U.S. Army veteran, entered the race but didn’t mention the incumbent in his campaign announcement.

“Our community deserves leaders who can rise above the dysfunction of Washington, bring people together, and get things done for the people of this district,” Helmer said.

Fairfax County teacher Kimberly Adams has already announced a challenge to Comstock, the Loudon Times-Mirror reported.

Helmer’s website says he is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a Rhodes Scholar and a recipient of the Bronze Star who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and South Korea.

While Virginia’s 10th Congressional District has long been held by Republicans like Comstock and her predecessor Frank Wolf, it broke for Hillary Clinton by 10 points last year and narrowly for President Barack Obama in 2012, according to an analysis by liberal website the Daily Kos.

Helmer was one of four veterans to announce they were running as Democrats to challenge Republican incumbents: in California’s 50th District, retired Navy SEAL Josh Butner is running against Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter; Air Force veteran Chrissy Houlahan announced she would challenge Rep. Ryan Costello in Pennsylvania’s 8th; and in Colorado’s 6th District, retired Army Ranger Jason Crow is running against Rep. Mike Coffman.

[Three Veterans Announce They’re Running for House as Democrats]

Of those, only California’s 50th voted for Trump.

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