By Mari Radtke
Kevin Virgil, an O’Brien County, Iowa native, announced his candidacy for District 4 Representative Thursday evening January 4. The announcement was made from the ProDucer’s Coop warehouse in Gaza, Iowa. Virgil is 5th generation to his family’s homesteading of land just a few hundred feet from where the announcement was made.
Gaza is a small, unincorporated community southeast of Primghar. It is the home of the “Gaza Forum.” Gaza Forum is a group of local individuals enthusiastic about the power of grassroots activism. To them, an unincorporated small town is equivalent to grassroots. The informal group is also known colloquially as “The 6am Boys.”
The announcement made from “no-where” U.S.A. from an unknown newcomer to politics was everything except nowhere and unknown. Brief comments were provided to the standing room only crowd by State Representative Zach Dieken, Iowa Senator Lynn Evans and former IA-04 Representative Steve King.
Virgil made a splash into the Iowa political conversations surrounding the potential use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines. Letters to the Editor were published in local newspapers as well as “The Des Moines Register.” His opinion even got his an interview on WHO radio to discuss the issue. He is adamantly opposed to eminent domain for any kind of private benefit. Virgil explained that he didn’t like the pipeline tactics. But the issue also crystallized for him the importance of local politics saying, “You won’t change what will happen from the top down. Change will happen from the bottom up.”
Other issues inspiring Virgil to take action include the continuation of the FISA Court that he says incumbent Representative Randy Feenstra voted to continue.
Virgil also believes the Federal Government is out of control. Having lived in the Washington D.C. area while serving the country, Virgil describes how Virginia counties around Washington D.C. have gone from rural to 4 of the 10 wealthiest counties in the United States. Virgil takes the position that growth is caused by government and the business associated with government such as lobbying.
Virgil is very clear about how he intends to vote once elected. He is very clear that he would like to vote always in favor of his, and this conservative district’s value, but recognizes that will most likely not be possible. “But,” he promised, “when I do have to make compromising votes, I promise always to tell you why.” Virgil’s campaign foundation also questions border security, Department of Education, actions surrounding J6, abortion, wars in Ukraine and the Mid-East and the World Health Organization (WHO) in regards to vaccines.
Kevin Virgil, a former Army Ranger and CIA operations officer, announced today that he is running for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District as a Republican. Virgil, a political outsider, says that his campaign is founded on the principles of true conservatism, emphasizing Iowa’s need for a representative who will fervently defend these values in Washington.
Virgil, 50, says his distinguished career in the military and intelligence community, as well as his experience as an entrepreneur in the private sector, has equipped him with the leadership skills and values that are required to address the complex challenges facing the nation.
“I am running for Congress because Iowa’s 4th District deserves a representative who advocates for conservative values,” said Virgil. “The current political establishment in Washington DC has failed to provide the leadership that America needs. Here in western Iowa, our current congressman Randy Feenstra has repeatedly voted to protect the interests of his largest donors and political backers while ignoring those of his constituents. I intend to uphold my oath to the Constitution and will only support legislation that remains true to its principles.”
“I am honored to continue my service to our country, and to fight the internal and external forces that threaten our way of life”, said Virgil. “Over the past three decades America’s small towns have experienced steep economic decline while Washington DC and our state capitols have attracted staggering wealth through the relentless expansion of government. It is a zero-sum game that needs to stop. I intend to work relentlessly to constrain the federal bureaucracy and return prosperity to our communities. I look forward to listening to voters across the district, and earning their trust and support.”
Virgil was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and raised in Sutherland, Iowa. He graduated from South O’Brien High School and attended West Point before serving in the 82nd Airborne Division and ultimately in the 75th Ranger Regiment. Later he attended business school and worked on Wall Street before joining the CIA shortly after 9/11, where he narrowly missed being in the World Trade Center. After serving his country overseas, he eventually started a company that builds AI-enabled security solutions for the Department of Defense and corporate customers around the world.
Virgil’s campaign is already gaining momentum, with endorsements from key conservative leaders and grassroots support from across the district. He invites the community to join him in this journey to bring principled, conservative leadership to Congress.
For more information about Kevin Virgil’s campaign, his policy positions, and upcoming events, please visit www.virgilforcongress.com.
VIEW THE ENTIRE ANNOUNCEMENT ON OUR WEBSITE AT belltimescourier.com.