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Veteran Tommy Sowers becomes a candidate

Tommy Sowers is a combat veteran on a new mission: to represent the 8th district of Missouri as a Democrat. But the London School of Economics grad is waging an uphill battle against Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R).

War veteran Tommy Sowers, right, shakes hands with a supporter at Ozark County's Hootin an Hollarin Parade. Sowers gave up a promising military career to launch a long-shot Congressional bid as a Democrat running to represent Missouri's 8th district.

Sept. 18

War veteran Tommy Sowers, right, shakes hands with a supporter at Ozark County's Hootin an Hollarin Parade. Sowers gave up a promising military career to launch a long-shot Congressional bid as a Democrat running to represent Missouri's 8th district.

Jerome T. Nakagawa-for The Washington Post

Sowers said he decided to run because he was motivated by the sense that the American public had lost interest in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sowers said he decided to run because he was motivated by the sense that the American public had lost interest in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Jerome T. Nakagawa-for The Washington Post

Sowers carries a cooler into his campaign office as campaign workers press themselves up against the walls. His tour of duty in Iraq ended in June 2005. When Sowers returned, he served on the staff of the two-star general responsible for Baghdad.

Sowers carries a cooler into his campaign office as campaign workers press themselves up against the walls. His tour of duty in Iraq ended in June 2005. When Sowers returned, he served on the staff of the two-star general responsible for Baghdad.

Jerome T. Nakagawa-for The Washington Post

In 2007, Tommy Sowers was a newly minted major teaching a course on the American government at West Point. "What is Democracy and why is it worth dying for?" he wrote on the chalkboard on the first day of class.

Sept .18

In 2007, Tommy Sowers was a newly minted major teaching a course on the American government at West Point. "What is Democracy and why is it worth dying for?" he wrote on the chalkboard on the first day of class.

Jerome T. Nakagawa-for The Washington Post

Sowers is waging an up-hill battle. His opponent, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, won the seat in 1996 in a special election held to fill the vacancy caused by the death of her husband.

Sept. 18

Sowers is waging an up-hill battle. His opponent, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, won the seat in 1996 in a special election held to fill the vacancy caused by the death of her husband.

Jerome T. Nakagawa-for The Washington Post

"Tommy just impressed me because he?s been where we've all been as veterans," said 72-year old Vietnam veteran Don Grindstaff, whose faltering health resulted from exposure to Agent Orange. "Just watching him run out there gets your adrenaline pumping. He's so excited."

Sept. 18

"Tommy just impressed me because he?s been where we've all been as veterans," said 72-year old Vietnam veteran Don Grindstaff, whose faltering health resulted from exposure to Agent Orange. "Just watching him run out there gets your adrenaline pumping. He's so excited."

Jerome T. Nakagawa-for The Washington Post

Sowers sprints through the parade in an attempt to connect with as many voters as possible. He handed out his cell phone number to undecided voters. "Call me and it will ring in my pocket," he promised.

Sept. 18

Sowers sprints through the parade in an attempt to connect with as many voters as possible. He handed out his cell phone number to undecided voters. "Call me and it will ring in my pocket," he promised.

Jerome T. Nakagawa-for The Washington Post

Sowers climbs into the rafters during the festival. Sowers? strong military record and his energy have helped him raise about $1 million, a larger war chest than the last eight Democratic nominees in the district combined.

Sept. 18

Sowers climbs into the rafters during the festival. Sowers? strong military record and his energy have helped him raise about $1 million, a larger war chest than the last eight Democratic nominees in the district combined.

Jerome T. Nakagawa-for The Washington Post

Sowers's dog, Chuck, follows him on the campaign trail. In February, Sowers had worked a job in all of his district's 28 counties, planting cotton, building vacuum cleaners and even castrating his first calf.

Sept. 18

Sowers's dog, Chuck, follows him on the campaign trail. In February, Sowers had worked a job in all of his district's 28 counties, planting cotton, building vacuum cleaners and even castrating his first calf.

Jerome T. Nakagawa-For The Washington Post

Sowers chats with Darla Sullivan, left, Charlotte Wood and Lisa Turner before the start of the Hootin an Hollarin Parade. To have a chance, Sowers figured that in the 45 days leading up to election his campaign had to knock on at least 47,000 doors.

Sept. 18

Sowers chats with Darla Sullivan, left, Charlotte Wood and Lisa Turner before the start of the Hootin an Hollarin Parade. To have a chance, Sowers figured that in the 45 days leading up to election his campaign had to knock on at least 47,000 doors.

Jerome T. Nakagawa-For The Washington Post

Sowers enters the rear door of his Gainesville campaign office after the Hootin an Hollarin Parade in Gainesville, Missouri. "He is one year out of the military, so his biggest challenge is name recognition," said a spokesman for Sowers campaign.

Sowers enters the rear door of his Gainesville campaign office after the Hootin an Hollarin Parade in Gainesville, Missouri. "He is one year out of the military, so his biggest challenge is name recognition," said a spokesman for Sowers campaign.

Jerome T. Nakagawa-for The Washington Post

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This Story In House race, combat veteran battles indifference about war Article \| GAINESVILLE, MO. - The 34-year-old former Army Green Beret ran across the street and bounded up the packed bleachers at the Hootin' and Hollarin' parade. Spots of sweat dotted his blue button-down shirt. Poll: Do you think Americans are disconnected from the country's wars? Map: Campaign 2010 House races, Missouri's District 8 Veteran Tommy Sowers becomes a candidate		Network News X Profile View More Activity TOOLBOX E-Mail This Reprints		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
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