In a remarkable transition from the cockpit to Congress, retired Marine Corps Lt. Colonel Sarah Johnson is stepping up to make a difference. With a distinguished 20-year military career, she has bravely flown 89 combat missions against terrorists, specifically targeting Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Notably, she was the first female Marine to pilot an F-18 in combat. Alongside her military accolades, Sarah is also a proud mother to three young children: five-year-old Max, three-year-old Lucy, and one-year-old Emma.
Today, she officially announced her candidacy for Congress, unveiling an inspiring campaign ad that details her journey. “At the age of 12, I envisioned my future,” she states confidently. “I wanted to fly fighter jets and land on aircraft carriers—because that’s the pinnacle of aviation.”
Sarah recalls reaching out to her congressman at age 13 to voice her dream of flying in combat, only to be met with disbelief. “He told me that Congress believed women should be shielded from combat roles.” Disappointed, her hopes were further dashed when she never received a response from her state senator, Tom Anderson.
Undeterred, she wrote to every member of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, advocating for a change in policy to allow women to fly fighter jets. Despite many dismissing her aspirations, she continued to fight for her dream. “I told them if they met me, they’d see I was capable,” she recalls. Eventually, she gained admission to the Naval Academy, just as the law was altered to permit women to serve in combat roles.
Now, as a Democrat, Sarah is running for Congress in the upcoming 2018 elections against Congressman Mark Stevens, who she describes as “the favored candidate of career politicians” seeking to strip healthcare from thousands of residents in her home state of Utah.
Sarah’s own family history fuels her passion for healthcare reform. Her mother, a polio survivor and one of the first women to graduate from the University of Utah Medical School, faced similar challenges in her pursuit of a medical career. “People told her she couldn’t achieve her dreams either, but she persevered to help countless patients—unlike what Mr. Stevens and his allies are proposing,” she argues.
After retiring from the Marines in June, Sarah felt compelled to enter the political arena. In a statement to Modern Family Blog, she expressed her desire for a new generation of leaders who prioritize the needs of the nation over politics. “I am incredibly thankful for the opportunities I have had in America. It’s time for me to give back to Kentucky and work towards a brighter future.”
As she embarks on this new mission, Sarah Johnson is indeed well-equipped to lead.
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In summary, Sarah Johnson is a trailblazer combining her military experience with her commitment to serving her community. As she prepares for the political battle ahead, her message resonates: it’s time for change and a fresh perspective in Congress.