Jorge R. Puentes, a 30-year-old Democrat who lives in Llano in the Antelope Valley, has announced his candidacy for Congress in the 25th District. The seat has been held since 1993 by Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Santa Clarita.
Puentes issued the following statement Monday:
Jorge R. Puentes Jr.
A soldier is prepared to put his life on the line. American Citizens are the reason why my fellow brothers in arms have made the sacrifice. After, the tragedy of 9/11, led by a radically extreme group, I heard the call.
When partisan politics led by a radical group forced a Government shutdown I heard the call.
Congress is full of Career Politicians that have forgotten the people, and now only see green.
I wholeheartedly believe that the people of my district are not being represented properly. I refuse to be idle, the people deserve a Representative that understands the hardships they face. My fellow citizens, veteran brothers, police officers, firefighters, educators, working single mothers and fathers many of which were affected by the Government shutdown.
The people are the reason i chose to serve our country’s military, and they are the reason I am choosing to run for Congress.
Biographical information
Born to immigrant parents on 3-2-1983 at the Bellflower, Ca Kaiser Permanente Hospital.”Benning-Boy” Jorge Ricardo Puentes Jr is the second of six children. An At-risk child, growing up in South Los Angeles, Jorge was forced to leave his house at the age of 15, he lived alone in a van for a few months. Adopted by a wonderful family that nurtured and encouraged him. Graduated From Fontana High School in 2001 with a degree of merit with “Honors in Speech and Debate”, then 9/11 happened.
In 2003 he joined The U.S. Army as a 91W Combat Medic. Completed Basic training at Fort. Benning, Ga after which he successfully completed the Army’s Medical Healthcare Specialist Program, MOS-91W at Fort Sam Houston, Tx. He was Assigned to the Mortar Platoon In The Mechanized Infantry unit in Fort. Stewart, Ga. Honorably Discharged in 2005 he headed home to an uncertain future.
Faced with homelessness due to VA claims processing times, he understands the hardships veterans returning home face. Happily married for over 10 years to his wife Petra, he is a proud father of two beautiful kids, Jorge the III (9), and Abbygail (3).
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5 Comments
Good luck..We need a Democrat to break the stranglehold and send a message.
I would like nothing more than to represent the people of my district.
I’d like the government to reopen. Would you? If so, and if you live in Buck McKeon’s 25th congressional district, please sign my non-partisan petition at:
http://tinyurl.com/buckreopen
He enlisted for 2-years, probably never made is past Private First Class, never deployed anywhere at a time when EVERYONE was deploying, yet he was nearly homeless because of delays in VA processing.
What VA benefits were he entitled to that he did not receive that led to his homelessness? He was never deployed, so it was most likely not disability payments. He should have earned SOME of a GI Bill but that only pays for school stuff. I won’t even get into his portraying himself as a champion of us in uniform after his only serving long enough to have a donut and a cup of coffee.
Something smells rotten.
Dwight i made the choice to serve my country, so that you can be free to question my service and spew insults at me. it is your right. A lot happened during my time in service.A Severe Back injury, and bilateral lower limb nerve damage, I was bedridden for three years unable to earn a living. I received my honorable discharge, so i am proud of my service, and i have paid with years of pain so you can criticize, my service. Other, experiences after my injuries, and before my discharge left me riddled with severe PTSD symptoms, the only reason i am running for office is that i believe the country i love has stalled and the people are not being properly represented. i consider my self an average joe that has an unfinished mission to serve my country.I am a cannabis patient and it has been a blessing to me, i can function physically due it.
I wish you the best .