National Security

In this episode, Kelly and Sophy talk to three Democratic congressional candidates with significant National Security experience, about what they believe are currently the biggest threats to national security and what Congress should be doing to face those threats. (1:26-22:06) Elissa Slotkin, who is running for Congress from Michigan's 8th District, started as a Middle East Analyst in the CIA, and in that capacity she served three tours in Iraq. She then served various defense and intelligence roles at the White House, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the State Department, and finally served as the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense, where she oversaw policy at the Pentagon on Russia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. (22:48-49:12) Mark Osmack, who is running for Congress from Missouri's 2nd District, served in the US Army as an artillery officer and platoon leader, on two combat tours in Afghanistan where he was a recipient of the Bronze Star. He is currently serving in the Army Reserve as a Civil Affairs company commander in Missouri. He has a Masters in Public Administration from George Washington University, and he worked on national defense and veterans affairs issues in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in Washington, DC. (49:56-1:14:46) Omar Siddiqui, who is running for Congress from California's 48th District, is a trial lawyer and a private advisor and consultant to the FBI on issues of national security and counter-terrorism. He was awarded the FBI Director’s Leadership Award presented by FBI Director James Comey at FBI Headquarters in Washington DC on April 15, 2016. He has also served as an advisor and community partner with the CIA.