MYRTLE BEACH — John Vincent, retired U.S. Navy Command Master Chief, best-selling author, and small business owner, will officially file his candidacy for South Carolina's 7th Congressional District on Thursday, March 19, at 2 p.m. at the South Carolina State Election Commission in Columbia.
Vincent served 20 years in the U.S. Navy, achieving the rank of Command Master Chief — one of the highest enlisted leadership positions in the military. He spent over 2,000 days beneath the ocean in his role as a nuclear submarine navigator.
After the Navy, he became a leadership consultant with the Gallup organization, then built his ownleadership consulting business, training law enforcement and first responders across the Southeast in community policing and conflict resolution.
He is also the co-author, with his wife Deb, of the book "Diversity and Inclusion The Submarine Way: What Life Underwater Taught Me About Inclusion."
"After two decades defending our Constitution in uniform, I'm running to defend the people of the 7th District from a broken political system that puts special interests ahead of working families," said Vincent. "I've spent my life in service, and I'm ready to bring that same commitment to Washington."
Vincent positions himself as "a common-sense moderate focused on the economic issues that matter most." His platform includes support for a $15 federal minimum wage, protecting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, expanding Veterans’ healthcare options, and a balanced budget amendment so “our children are not left holding the bag for irresponsible politicians."
Vincent has pledged not to accept corporate PAC money and challenged incumbent Congressman Russell Fry to do the same.
"Congressman Fry sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee while taking thousands from the very industries he's supposed to oversee — electric utilities, telecommunications, insurance companies," Vincent said. "I challenge my opponent to take the same pledge I have: refuse corporate PAC money and eliminate the blatant conflicts of interest. The people of this district deserve a representative fighting tooth and nail for economic justice for them, not just demonstrating loyalty to party bosses and special interest donors."
For more information, visit VincentForCongress.com.