CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Matt Reel has officially announced his candidacy for United States House of Representatives District 7 in Tennessee, which is now held by Republican Marsha Blackburn.
A spokesperson for Reel said he was unable to campaign previously due to his obligations as a Special Forces Green Beret in the U.S. Army.
Reel’s campaign office released the following statement written by the candidate:
“From preachers to teachers, I come from a long line of Tennesseans who have dedicated themselves to public service. I am running for Congress because I believe we deserve better representation than what we are currently receiving in Washington. All Tennesseans deserve to have representatives who put country over politics. As the only person in this race that was born, raised, and educated in this state, I understand the unique challenges that come from trying to carve a living out of these hills and hollers.
I learned the value of hard work growing up on my family’s farm in Primm Springs. After attending public schools in Hickman County, I went on to play football at Austin Peay State University. While I was a slow defensive end short on talent, I earned second team All-American through blood, sweat, and tears. I plan on bringing that type of Tennessee workmanship to a Congress that has accomplished very little for our state in recent memory.
There is nothing more important to me than my faith and family. That is why I joined Special Forces after 9/11. As a Green Beret, I saw combat deployments throughout the Middle East over the last 15 years. Just this month, I returned from a deployment to South America to stop the flow of drugs coming into our country. Having been blessed by the gift of freedom, paid for by the generations of service members before me, we have an obligation to fight for and protect the freedoms we all hold dear for this great country. If given the opportunity, I will continue this fight in the United States Congress on behalf of all of Tennesseans. I will also do everything in my power to fight for better healthcare and benefits to improve the lives of veterans and their families.”
For more information, visit Matt Reel’s campaign site.
