WHEATON, IL – Last night, the Pentagon launched an airstrike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, according to Defense Sec. Mark Esper. Esper reported that Soleimani was "actively developing plans" to attack US troops and diplomats.
Jeanne Ives, Republican candidate for Congress (IL-06), released the following statement in response:
It is well-known that my husband and I, like many families in the Sixth District, have sons in the military. This makes reports of our enemies attacking or actively planning attacks on US Troops all the more chilling. The men and women serving our country put their lives on the line for our freedom and safety. Their safety should be a priority for our leaders.
Intelligence reports indicated Iran's top military leader was planning future attacks on US forces in Iraq. Our military leaders recognized the threat and disrupted their plans. Our enemies must understand that we will defend our national interests, and ensure our military has the ability to protect themselves against credible threats.
Decisive leadership is imperative to ensuring our military are able to do what they do best: defend our national interests and defeat those who terrorize us, our partners and innocent civilians.
Not only do the Ives have sons in the military, she and her husband met while attending West Point Academy in the late 1980s.
It Ives wins the GOP primary in March 2020, she will face freshman Democrat Sean Casten in the November 2020 General Election.