Sean Parnell [1] | |
|---|---|
| Official portrait, 2025 | |
| Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs | |
| Assumed office February 3, 2025 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Chris Meagher |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 1981 (age 44) |
| Spouse | Laurie Snell (div.) |
| Children | 3 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch/service | |
| Years of service | 2004–2010 |
| Rank | Captain |
Richard Sean Parnell is a former United States Army Captain &author currently serving as the assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs since February,2025. [2] He was the Republican nominee for Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district in 2020. [3]
Richard Sean Parnell was born in Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania. [4] After serving in the U.S. Army from 2004 to 2010,he pursued undergraduate studies at Clarion University,the University of Pittsburgh,and Duquesne University,as well as graduate education at Duquesne University. [4]
After receiving his commission through the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at Duquesne University,Parnell led 3rd Platoon,B Company,2nd Battalion,87th Infantry Regiment,3rd Brigade Combat Team,10th Mountain Division. [5] The company was based near the Pakistani border in Barmal District of Paktika Province on an extended 16-month deployment. After the deployment,Parnell was awarded two Bronze Star Medals and a Purple Heart. [6] Parnell left duty as a lieutenant and retired as a captain. He authored the book Outlaw Platoon with John R. Bruning based on his experiences.
Parnell ran for Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district in 2020,narrowly losing to Democratic incumbent Conor Lamb. [3] [7]
The following year,Parnell announced he would run in the 2022 Republican primary for Pennsylvania's open senate seat. He was endorsed by Donald Trump. [8] Parnell suspended his candidacy in November,2021,after he lost full custody of his children in a court battle,with a judge determining Parnell had been abusive towards his estranged wife. [9] [10]
In February 2025,President Trump announced via Truth Social that Parnell would serve as the chief Pentagon spokesperson under his administration. [11]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Conor Lamb | 222,253 | 51.1 | |
| Republican | Sean Parnell | 212,284 | 48.9 | |
| Total votes | 434,537 | 100.0 | ||
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