When the U.S.-Israel war with Iran erupted a month ago, the stakes became very personal for veteran candidates like Virginia state Del. Dan Helmer. A former soldier with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Helmer is critical of the current administration's decision to engage militarily with Iran. “In 2002, a president lied to the American people and sent my friends to die in a war of choice,” Helmer recounted to POLITICO. He draws a parallel with the present, condemning what he views as a similar circumvention of the democratic process by President Donald Trump.

Contrastingly, Michael Bouchard, a Michigan Republican House candidate and Bronze Star recipient, argues the necessity of the conflict. Having served during the last Israel-Iran war, Bouchard believes in "peace through strength" and supports the mission as essential for regional security. “No one wants to go to war less than somebody who’s been to it," he stated, emphasizing the need for proactive defense measures.

Across the nation, veteran candidates are reshaping their campaign messages in light of the ongoing conflict. The war has triggered a spectrum of viewpoints among them, reflecting deep personal connections to military service and strategic policy outcomes. For instance, New York Assemblymember Robert Smullen, a Marine Corps veteran, and Montana Democrat Matt Rains, a former Black Hawk pilot, each bring unique perspectives shaped by their military experiences and current civilian concerns, such as rising fuel costs affecting Rains' ranching business.

Despite differing views, there is a common disdain among the candidates for Iran's government. However, opinions diverge sharply when it comes to the conduct and strategy of the war. Democrats criticize the lack of transparency and fear the emergence of another protracted conflict, reminiscent of past U.S. military engagements. “I don’t see an endgame here, and it makes me really worried,” expressed Democrat Zach Dembo, a former Navy JAG officer.

Republican candidates, aligning with Trump, view the conflict as a decisive action against a longstanding adversary. They stress the importance of a clear strategy to prevent the war from dragging on indefinitely. Oregon Republican Monique DeSpain, an Air Force veteran, highlighted the urgency of addressing national security threats promptly to avoid irreversible consequences.

As the election season unfolds, these veteran candidates believe their military backgrounds provide them with the credibility to address national security issues convincingly. Whether advocating for a critical examination of the war's rationale or affirming the need for robust military action, each candidate uses their service history to influence the electorate amidst a backdrop of war.

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