U.S. Congressman John Sullivan (R-Tulsa) may have already drawn his first 2012 challenger - Tulsa Republican Jim Bridenstine. After what is essentially a draft-someone-to-run-against-Sullivan campaign by a group called "True Leadership for Oklahoma", Bridenstine has announced the formation of an exploratory committee.
TULSA, Okla. - Navy pilot and former executive director of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum, Jim Bridenstine, has formed an exploratory committee to assess his prospects of running for the U.S. Congress in the First District of Oklahoma. As a Republican, he would be challenging John Sullivan in the July 2012 Republican primary. “I think there is a thirst for new representation in Washington D.C. I believe congressional service should be a temporary honor and followed by work in the private sector, the military, or some other non-elected position. After 18 years in public office, Congressman Sullivan obviously believes differently. My committee will help me find out what the constituents of the First District believe.”
To learn more about the Jim Bridenstine Congressional Exploratory Committee visit www.JimBridenstine.com.
About Jim Bridenstine
A triple major from Rice University and an MBA from Cornell University, Jim Bridenstine has made a career serving his country. From flying combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan to flying with TOPGUN, Jim Bridenstine has sacrificed for our nation. He is currently a pilot in the U.S. Navy Reserve where he flies the E-2C Hawkeye in worldwide counter-narcotics operations. Early in his active duty career, Jim Bridenstine flew E-2C Hawkeyes off the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. It was there that he flew combat missions and gathered most of his 1,600 flight hours and 333 carrier arrested landings. Jim participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Operation Southern Watch in Iraq, and Operation Shock and Awe in Iraq. While on active duty, Jim Bridenstine transitioned to the F-18 Hornet, became a tactics instructor, and had the opportunity to fly with America's elite TOPGUN pilots.
After leaving active duty, Jim Bridenstine earned an MBA from Cornell University and returned to Tulsa to be the Executive Director of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium. He was responsible for the museum's air shows, special events, human resources, and financial management. He created the QuikTrip Air and Rocket Racing Show and launched Tulsa's campaign to acquire one of three retiring space shuttles. Because of his efforts, Tulsa is one of 21 locations being considered for a shuttle.
In addition to flying counter drug missions in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Jim Bridenstine is a consultant with Deloitte Consulting, LLP where he works on network centric war fighting capabilities for the Department of Defense.
Jim Bridenstine is married to Michelle (Ivory) Bridenstine. They have two children, Walker (4), and Sarah (2). Jim Bridenstine and his family are members of South Tulsa Baptist Church.
About the Jim Bridenstine Congressional Exploratory Committee
The Jim Bridenstine Congressional Exploratory Committee is a diverse group of citizens who believe it is time for Oklahoma's First District to have serious, responsible, conservative leadership. As someone who has served our community and country, we believe that Jim Bridenstine has the values, discipline, and unwavering courage to be our candidate and stand up to Washington D.C. Committee members include:
- Committee Chairman, Gabe Sherman, VP of Marketing, Whistler Outdoor Advertising
- Milton Hendricks, Member of the Transport Workers Union Local 514
- Commander John Herrington, U.S. Astronaut
- Patrick Haworth, Navy Reservist and former candidate for U.S. Congress
- Sandy Minardi, Marketing Consultant
- Bob Archer, Director of the Tulsa Praise Orchestra
- Dr. Mark Cremer, Radiologist
- Dr. Wes Black, Doctor of Dental Surgery
- Bob Ferguson, Test Pilot for Autopilots Central Inc.
- Randy McGlothlin, Owner of McGlothlin Accounting Services, Inc.
You can learn more about Bridenstine and his exploratory committee by visiting his website here.
Best man for the job!
ReplyDelete