Military veterans launch Democratic runs for Va. House in GOP strongholds
Eric Klotz, a combat-disabled U.S. Navy veteran with nearly two decades of service in special operations, was sitting at his home in Hardy, a quiet community near Smith Mountain Lake, when the phone rang. On the other end was Eric Mosley, a fellow veteran and Democratic organizer, asking Klotz if he would once again serve — this time by running for the 39th House of Delegates District.
A longtime Republican who switched parties when Donald Trump first assumed office in 2017, Klotz, 53, had watched the political landscape shift dramatically during the first few months of Trump’s second presidency. The erosion of the country’s foundational principles, especially after his years of military service, troubled him deeply.
“I did a lot of deployments overseas, and I have experience living in countries controlled by authoritarian governments. I witnessed the suppression of individual rights and liberties, something we used to believe was protected by the U.S. Constitution,” Klotz said in a phone interview. “I can’t stand idly by while that birthright is under attack here at home. I took an oath to defend the Constitution, and it’s not just for some, it’s for all.”
On Wednesday, Klotz filed the paperwork to run as a Democrat in a historically conservative seat, currently represented by Del. Will Davis, R-Franklin. Despite the district’s strong Republican leanings, Klotz’s military background and willingness to cross party lines to fight for the principles he believes in have made him a unique contender.
https://virginiamercury.com/2025/03/28/military-veterans-launch-democratic-runs-for-va-house-in-gop-strongholds/