Starke County Democrats gathered at the Knox Community Center Saturday night for the annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner.
Those present heard from Congressman Joe Donnelly, Senator Jim Arnold and State Representative Nancy Dembowski. They also heard from Brendon Mullen for the first time who is the party’s 2nd District Congressional candidate scheduled to take on Republican Jackie Walorski in the 2012 election.
Mullen told of his background.
“I’m a born and raised South Bend boy and a product of public school,” said Mullen. “I had an opportunity to play a little bit of football. When Lou Holtz didn’t recruit me to play football for the Irish, I went on my way to play Army football. I had an opportunity to go to West Point and played in several thrilling Army-Navy games. When graduated, I was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, not long after September 11th happened.”
He also told those gathered about why he decided to run for office.
“I’ve always wanted to continue to serve my country. Public service has been in my background from the moment I was born from my mother and father to my grandparents. When the opportunity presented itself, and I saw the gridlock and the agenda in Washington, D.C., it made me think of my friends and colleagues that , unfortunately, are sitting in Arlington National Cemetery giving the ultimate sacrifice.”
