Brian Mast
| Brian Mast | |
|---|---|
| Member-elect of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 18th district | |
|
Taking office January 3, 2017 | |
| Succeeding | Patrick Murphy |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
July 10, 1980 Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.[1] |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence | Fort Pierce, Florida, U.S. |
| Occupation | Military veteran and politician |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Website |
www |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1999-2011 |
| Rank | Staff Sergeant |
| Unit | Joint Special Operations Command |
| Awards |
Purple Heart Bronze Star Army Commendation Medal Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
Brian Mast (born July 10, 1980) is an American politician and former United States Army soldier. A Republican, Mast is the member-elect to the United States House of Representatives for Florida's 18th congressional district after winning the November 2016 general election.
Military service
Mast enlisted in the Army in 1999 upon graduation from high school and became an Explosive Ordinance Disposal technician, defusing bombs.[2] He served in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. On September 19, 2010, while clearing a path for United States Army Rangers in Kandahar, he took a wrong step into an IED along the road. The explosion resulted in the amputation of both his legs and one of his fingers.[3][4]
During his twelve years of service in the Army, he received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, and Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He was invited by Barack Obama as a guest to his 2011 State of the Union Address and was seated with First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Jill Biden.[5]
Mast and his family were the recipients of a custom ADA-compliant home awarded to them by the non-profit organization Helping a Hero.[6] After being honorably discharged from the Army, Mast was hired as an explosives specialist for the Department of Homeland Security.[1]
2016 U.S. House election
Mast first considered running for office while recovering from his injuries at Walter Reed Medical Center.[1] It was reported in May 2015 that Mast was considering a run for Congress.[7]
On June 8, 2015, Mast announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination United States House of Representatives in Florida's 18th congressional district.[8] Mast faced five opponents in the August 30, 2016 primary; he won with 38% of the vote.[9] Mast faced Democratic businessman Randy Perkins in the November 2016 general election.[9]
Mast won the November 8, 2016, general election with 53% of the vote.[10]
Personal life
Mast was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan and graduated from South Christian High School in 1999. He is the son of James Mast and Tixomena Trujillo.[11] His maternal grandparents were legal immigrants from Mexico.[12] Mast lives in Hutchinson Island in St. Lucie County, Florida with his wife, Brianna, and their three children.[13]
References
- 1 2 3 "Former Grand Rapids man wounded in Afghanistan considers bid for Congress". Mlive.com. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- ↑ "MastForCongress.com". MastForCongress.com. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
- ↑ "A Combat Veteran Runs for Congress, and the Scrutiny Intensifies". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
- ↑ "Rangers receive awards for recent deployments". Army.mil. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
- ↑ "Sgt. Brian Mast, wounded in Afghanistan, touched by president's thanks to military". Mlive.com. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- ↑ "Wounded U.S. Army Veteran Receives Keys to New Home". Coralspringstalk.com. October 14, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- ↑ "Double-amputee vet might enter CD-18; Grayson's Twitter trouble; the Rubio blueprint revealed; more Cuba moves in Miami; FL bear-hunt controversy". Politico. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- ↑ Bennett, George (June 8, 2015). "Two more Republicans announce run for Patrick Murphy seat". Palm Beach Post.
- 1 2 Bennett, George (October 31, 2016). "First time candidates Brian Mast, Randy Perkins to vie for U.S. House". Palm Beach Post.
- ↑ "Analysis: Brian Mast's military story wins Patrick Murphy's U.S. House seat". Tcpalm.com. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
- ↑ "Meet Brian". MastforCongress.com. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
- ↑ Manjarres, Javier (September 15, 2015). "Brian Mast: Illegal Immigration Is A National Security Issue". Hispolitica.
- ↑ "Brian Mast: Candidate". Tcpalm.com. Retrieved November 14, 2016.