James Averhart, the Democratic candidate in Alabama’s 1st Congressional District and a retired U.S. Marine, has been endorsed by a list of retired U.S. dignitaries and retired military leaders, his campaign said Wednesday.
“James Averhart is an integral leader — a man of principles and a patriot. He is the best choice to represent District One on The Hill,” said Ambassador Theodore Britton, a World War II Veteran who was nominated by President Gerald Ford to serve as U.S. ambassador to the island nations of Barbados and Grenada.
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. General Walter E. Gaskin, who served as commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, said Averhart is experienced in matters of government and policy and understands the lay of the land in Washington D.C.
“He will be ready to hit the ground running to get things done for the district, and moreover, be that bridge to unite the parties in Congress as well as the nation,” Gaskin said in a statement.
“James Averhart is a strong dynamic leader who will get the job done. He is meticulous and a consummate professional that will advocate and work for all citizens of our district and Alabama,” said Ambassador J. Gary Cooper, a retired Marine Corps major general who was nominated by President George H.W. Bush to serve as assistant secretary of the Air Force, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, and was nominated by President Bill Clinton to serve as U.S. ambassador to Jamaica.
“At a time when it seems that the Republican leadership is in lockstep with a president, who considers those in service to our great nation to be ‘suckers’ and ‘losers,’ is antithetical to what this country needs. We have over 30,000 citizens hospitalized and over 211,000 deaths due to coronavirus, which could have been prevented with sound, methodical leadership. We have been disappointed by this President and the Republican leadership standing with him. It is time for substantive change in our Nation’s Capital,” Averhart said.
“The American citizenry deserves and expects more of its leadership. We should no longer settle for those who continue to promulgate untruths and spew divisive rhetoric. We deserve leadership who will extol the truth and hold in high regard a united nation,” Averhart said.
Avergart’s Republican opponent in the Nov. 3 election is Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl.
The following are a list of Averhart’s endorsements, according to his campaign:
Ambassador Theodore Britton
- Nominated by President Gerald Ford to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the island nations of Barbados and Grenada
- Served as the U.S. Special Representative to West Indian island nations of Antigua, Dominica, St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, St. Vincent, and St. Lucia
Ambassador J. Gary Cooper
- Vietnam Veteran and Retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General
- Nominated by President Bill Clinton to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica.
- Nominated by President George H.W. Bush to serve as Asst Secretary of the Air Force, Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
Lieutenant General Ronald L. Bailey
- First African American to command the 1st • U.S. Marine Division
- Served as Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations, U.S. Marine Corps.
- Retired in 2017 following 41 years of service.
Lieutenant General Walter E. Gaskin
- Served as Commanding General of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, NC Served as Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, Quantico, Virginia
- Served as Chief of Staff, Naval Striking and Support Forces-Southern Europe
- Served as Deputy Commanding General, Fleet Marine Forces-Europe in Naples, Italy
Major General Cornell A. Wilson, Jr.
- Served as Director, Reserve Affairs Division, Manpower and Reserve Affairs – Headquarters, U.S. MArine Corps, Quantico, Virginia.
- Appointed by Gov. Pat McCrory, NC, to the position of Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Lieutenant General Willie J. Williams
- Served as Director of the Marine Corp Staff
- Retired in 2013 after serving 39 years in the U.S. Marine Corp.
Brigadier General John R. Thomas
- Served as Director for Command, Control, Communications and Computers, U.S. Marine Corps.
- Served as Director and Chief Information Officer, U.S. Marine Corp.
