Texas Dem Vets endorse Radnofsky

Barbara Radnofsky (photo)
Candidate for Texas Senate

By Dennis Ferguson
Texas Dem Vets

Texas Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Barbara Ann Radnofsky received the endorsement of the Texas Democratic Veterans this week.

The Texas Democratic Veterans Executive Committee is proud to support Barbara Ann Radnofsky for the United States Senate.
Formed June 14, 2002 at the Texas Democratic Convention held in El Paso, we allow veteran and non-veteran members – the only requirement that we have is that all our members support and honor our veterans and military personnel and keep the issues important to them before the Democratic Party of the State of Texas and the Democratic National Committee.

We see in Barbara Ann Radnofsky someone who, like us, believes that the service of those who have gone before us is something to emulate and respect.

Daughter of a WWII veteran and the granddaughter of a WWI veteran, her grandfather was injured in his navy service and proudly served as commander of his American Legion post.

When her father was in prisoner of war camp in Germany and the Nazis visited the camp and told all the Jews to step forward, to a man every prisoner stepped forward. Barbara Ann has repeatedly said during her more than 480 campaign trips across Texas that she is here because of the service, risk-taking, and sacrifice of our veterans, and that they deserve the treatment they were promised.

Barbara Ann’s own words: “My parents raised me to believe that we are here on this earth due to the service and sacrifice of others.”

On January 17, 2003, the Bush Administration stopped enrolling new Priority 8 veterans for Veterans Administration medical care, and the president's budget continues this restrictive policy.

This has prevented one million veterans, who make as little as $26,902 a year, from enrolling in VA health care. For over three years Barbara Ann’s opponent has remained silent.

The veterans of South Texas for too long have been denied the care they deserve. Barbara Ann stood with them and continues to stand with them demanding a new, fully funded, and operational VA hospital in South Texas. For over twelve years her opponent ignored this issue, and after two terms in office Texas is facing closing of veterans’ facilities.

It currently takes about $1.4 billion in additional funds each year just to maintain current VA services and the federal pay rise.

Barbara Ann has advocated for service members and exposed the ineffective leadership and anti- service bias of her opponent. Veterans' issues in Texas are long-term, critical, and they deserve careful foresight and advocacy in Washington.

It is with great pleasure that the Texas Democratic Veterans Executive Committee endorses a true voice for veterans in Texas, Barbara Ann Radnofsky for the United States Senate.

Editor's note: The endorsement is much longer but edited for length.