Sam Brown (military)

Last updated

Sam Brown
Sam Brown Nevada (cropped).jpg
Brown in 2021
Personal details
Born
Samuel Boaz Brown

October 1983 (age 40)
Arkansas, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse
Amy Larsen
​
(m. 2009)​
Relatives Mike Brown (great-uncle)
Education United States Military Academy (BS)
Southern Methodist University (MBA)
Website Campaign website
Military service
Branch/service United States Army
Rank Captain
Unit 1st Infantry Division
Battles/wars War in Afghanistan
Awards Bronze Star
Purple Heart

Samuel Boaz Brown [1] (born October 1983) [2] is an American political candidate and military officer. He served in the United States Army during the War in Afghanistan, and sustained burns to thirty percent of his body due to an improvised explosive device injury in 2008.

Contents

Brown began several business ventures and became active in Republican Party politics in the state of Texas. He unsuccessfully sought the party's nomination for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives in 2014. After moving to Nevada in 2018, Brown unsuccessfully ran for the Nevada U.S. Senate nomination in 2022. [3] [4] He ran again in 2024, this time winning the Republican Party nomination and will face Democratic incumbent Senator Jacky Rosen in the general election.

Early life and family

Brown was born in Arkansas in a military family with a father and two younger brothers who also served in the War on Terror after the September 11 attacks. [3] He was educated at the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 2006. [4] [5] He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Southern Methodist University. [6]

Military service

Brown in 2009 Army Capt. Sam Brown tells the story of his injury to paratroopers, 2009.jpg
Brown in 2009

After completing his training from the United States Army Infantry School, Ranger School, and Airborne School, he joined 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. [6]

In 2008, he was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan. [6] Later, in September 2008, while supporting the multinational cooperative project of delivering a turbine to the Kajaki Dam, [7] he and his soldiers were wounded by an improvised explosive device when responding to another US Army unit that was ambushed and in a direct fire. [4]

As a result, thirty percent of his body was burned, and he lost his left index finger. [4] [8] [9] Before the incident, he was serving in the U.S. Army as an Infantry Platoon Leader in Kandahar. [8] Later, he was evacuated and was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. [8] Due to this event, he is sometimes called Burning Man. [4]

His recovery from the burn wounds and experimental pain management solutions were covered by multiple media outlets. He was a participant in medical studies using virtual reality to reduce pain during physical therapy sessions. [7] His physical therapy was a long and painful process that lasted several years. [10]

In 2011, Brown retired as a Captain from the U.S. Army. [6] He returned to Afghanistan to provide inspiration to US troops deployed there in 2012 and to have a chance for a "proper exit". [11]

Professional work

Brown founded Palisade Strategies, a firm that provided emergency pharmaceutical support to Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics in cases where the local system needed to engage with the local private sector. He sold the business in 2022. [12]

Political campaigns

In 2014, Brown ran in the Republican primary for the Texas House of Representatives in District 102. [9] He finished in third place with 27.5% of the vote. [13]

In 2021, Brown launched his campaign to become a US Senator from Nevada. [2] His campaign drew national attention, both from media and fundraisers. [14] [15] He raised over $1 million every quarter of his campaign as he sought to challenge a Republican who was endorsed by Donald Trump for the US Senate seat. [16]

Brown earned the support and endorsement of the local and state political party leaders. [17] Ultimately, his campaign against Adam Laxalt failed in the primary election.

Subsequent to this loss, Brown formed the Duty First PAC. [18] As of 2023, the Duty First PAC had spent most of its contributions to repay debts from Brown’s own 2022 campaign, with 7% of its spending going to other Republican candidates. [19]

2024 U.S. Senate campaign

In July 2023, Brown announced his second candidacy for a Nevada U.S. Senate seat, this time challenging incumbent Democrat Jacky Rosen in the 2024 election. [20] He ran against former Trump Administration Ambassador to Iceland Jeff Gunter, former Nevada State Representative Jim Marchant, and ten other candidates. [21] His campaign has been endorsed by U.S. Senators Steve Daines of Montana [22] and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee. [23] In March 2024, Brown officially filed paperwork to run in the Republican primary. [24]

In February 2024, Brown's wife, Amy, spoke about an abortion she had in Texas just prior to meeting her husband. Sam Brown opposes a federal abortion ban and supports Nevada's current law that legally protects the right to an abortion. [25] [26]

In June 2024, former president Donald Trump endorsed Brown in the Republican primary. [27]

Brown was a featured speaker on Tuesday night of the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. [28] His speech on unity and the high cost of war garnered national attention and headlines. [29]

During former President Donald Trump's nomination acceptance speech on the final night of the convention, Trump praised Brown, saying: “[Brown] paid the biggest price probably ever paid by anybody that is running for office, and I think he is going to do great.” Brown was the only 2024 U.S. Senate candidate mentioned by Trump during his speech. [30]

Nonprofit activity

Brown followed his 2022 campaign for U.S. Senate by becoming the chairman of the Nevada Faith and Freedom Coalition, a political non-profit organization. [31] The organization focuses on efforts to end human trafficking, advance criminal justice reform, and assist Nevada families who are dealing with poverty. [32]

Personal life

In May 2009, Brown married Amy Larsen, an Army first lieutenant from South Dakota and critical care dietitian who worked in the Department of Defense Burn Center at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. [4] [8] [9] The couple have three children and continued to live in San Antonio (Texas) for several years after they both completed their military service. He first became involved in politics to continue serving while living in Dallas. [33] Brown and his family have lived in Reno, Nevada, since 2018 and are active members at their church, Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks. [34]

Awards

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References

  1. ↑ United States Military Academy West Point - Howitzer Yearbook (West Point, NY) - Class of 2006. West Point, NY. 2006. p. 211.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. 1 2 Apgar, Blake (August 27, 2021). "U.S. Senate candidate Sam Brown running against the political class". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Trump's Pick for Nevada Senate Faces Tough Primary Challenge". Time .
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jay, Kirk (January 31, 2012). "Burn Victim Sam Brown Treated With Virtual-Reality Video Game SnowWorld". GQ .
  5. 1 2 "We need new leaders and a new direction". Reno Gazette Journal .
  6. 1 2 3 4 "About". Sam Brown for Nevada.
  7. 1 2 "Kajaki Dam Turbine Delivered by NATO Forces". Reuters .
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Soldier's life altering injury turns into unique war love story". www.army.mil. January 8, 2010.
  9. 1 2 3 Rogers, Tim (December 14, 2013). "Sam Brown: The Reformed Candidate". D Magazine .
  10. ↑ "Wounded troops mend as war coverage wanes". NBC News. September 10, 2009. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  11. ↑ "For servicemembers wounded in Afghanistan, a 'Proper Exit'". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  12. ↑ "About". palisade-strategies. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Texas House of Representatives District 102". The Texas Tribune . March 6, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  14. ↑ Steinhauser, Paul (October 7, 2021). "First-time GOP Senate candidate Sam Brown hauls in $1M in battleground Nevada". Fox News. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  15. ↑ Steinhauser, Paul (January 17, 2022). "First-time Nevada GOP Senate candidate Sam Brown hauls in $1M for second straight quarter". Fox News. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  16. ↑ "'Outsider' in Nevada's GOP Senate primary surges, rattling Trump's pick". NBC News. June 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  17. ↑ Staff, News 4 & Fox 11 Digital (May 2, 2022). "Sam Brown, Joey Gilbert get endorsement recommendations at Nevada GOP convention". KRNV. Retrieved April 3, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ↑ "Duty First PAC". Duty First PAC. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  19. ↑ Turner, Abby; Kaczynski, Andrew (August 12, 2023), Nevada GOP Senate candidate raised money to help other candidates – the funds mostly paid down his old campaign's debt instead, CNN , retrieved August 15, 2023
  20. ↑ Vakil, Caroline (July 10, 2023). "Retired Army Captain Sam Brown launches second run for Nevada Senate". The Hill.
  21. ↑ Gabby Birenbaum, Week later, underdog Nevada GOP Senate hopeful Gunter's ad buy begins to materialize, Nevada Independent (April 10, 2024).
  22. ↑ "Senate GOP lands a top recruit in Nevada". Politico . July 10, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Veteran Sam Brown wins Blackburn endorsement, raises major cash in Nevada Senate run". Fox News. July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Nevada Republican who lost 2022 Senate primary seeking Democratic Sen. Rosen's seat in key US match". AP News. March 14, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  25. ↑ Korecki, Natasha (February 22, 2024). "Amy Brown, wife of GOP Senate candidate Sam Brown, opens up about her abortion for the first time publicly". NBC News. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Abortion story from wife of Nevada Senate hopeful reveals complexity of issue for GOP candidates". AP News. March 16, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  27. ↑ Stern, Gabe (June 10, 2024). "Trump backs Sam Brown in US Senate race, widening momentum gap in crowded Nevada GOP field". AP News. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  28. ↑ https://lasvegassun.com/news/2024/jul/16/sam-brown-draws-strong-response-at-rnc-promoting-c/
  29. ↑ https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/nevada-senate-candidate-sam-brown-speaks-on-cost-of-war-at-rnc-215013957555
  30. ↑ https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/d-c-download-how-sam-brown-nevada-fared-at-the-republican-national-convention
  31. ↑ llemmonds. "Nevada Faith and Freedom Coalition". Nevada Faith and Freedom Coalition. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Issues". Nevada Faith and Freedom Coalition. September 17, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  33. ↑ Nicholson, Eric. "Sam Brown, a Wounded Army Vet Profiled by GQ, is Running for the Texas House". Dallas Observer. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Officer Survives Blast, Now Serving Others - Calvary Chapel Magazine". May 25, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  35. ↑ Leach, Matt (June 14, 2022). "Nevada Senate candidate Sam Brown says front-runner Laxalt has 'taken voters for granted'". Fox News.
  36. ↑ "Gallery of Distinction". Northwood University. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
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