Calling Woods the strongest candidate "for our Military, for Veterans and for the cause of LGBT Equality," Choi will Campaign with Woods in Northern California later this month.
FAIRFIELD, CA: The Anthony Woods for Congress Campaign today announced the endorsement of Dan Choi, an Iraq War Veteran and National Spokesperson for the West Point LGBT Alumni Advocacy Group Knightsout.org.
"For 10 years, I have known Anthony Woods as a leader and an officer of the highest caliber," said Choi. "From defending our nation abroad, to fighting for our highest ideals here at home, Anthony Woods exemplifies the real world perspective that is needed to bring about real change in Washington, and I am proud to support his candidacy for Congress."
An Arab Linguist, Lieutenant in the New York Army National Guard, and West Point Classmate of Anthony Woods, Choi rose to national prominence earlier this year when he openly declared that he was gay on MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Show. The Army quickly launched discharge proceedings against Choi, who has vowed to fight his termination from the military under the "Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy," and re-deploy with his unit.
Like Choi, Woods also served in Iraq, commanding 81 soldiers and earning both the Bronze Star and Army Commendation medal during two tours of duty. Woods was also discharged after challenging the military's "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, and would be the first openly gay African American ever elected to the United States Congress.
Current CA 10 Representative Ellen Tauscher, who is awaiting confirmation as President Obama's nominee for Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the author of The Military Readiness Enhancement Act/H.R. 1283, legislation which would repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell."
"In the upcoming Special Election to replace Congresswoman Tauscher, I believe there is no stronger candidate for our military, for our veterans, or for the cause of LGBT equality than Anthony Woods," Choi added.
Choi will join Woods at two events in Northern California this month---the first on June 26th in Davis, and the second on June 29th in San Francisco.
Anthony Woods is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. He is a veteran of two combat tours in Iraq, and was awarded both the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal for his service. Woods is a native of Fairfield, CA, and is campaigning for the expected Special Election to replace Representative Ellen Tauscher (nominated to serve in the Obama Administration) in California's 10th District.