Today, Erik Aadland, CD7 Republican candidate for Congress, announces a formal endorsement from 70th Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Michael Pompeo was sworn in as the 70th Secretary of State on April 26, 2018. He previously served as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from January 2017 to April 2018.

Prior to joining the Trump Administration, Secretary Pompeo was serving in his fourth term as congressman from Kansas’ 4th District. He served on the House Intelligence Committee, as well as the Energy and Commerce Committee and House Select Benghazi Committee.

Prior to his service in Congress, Secretary Pompeo founded Thayer Aerospace, where he served as CEO for more than a decade. He later became President of Sentry International, an oilfield equipment manufacturing, distribution, and service company.

Secretary Pompeo graduated first in his class at the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1986 and served as a cavalry officer patrolling the Iron Curtain before the fall of the Berlin Wall. He also served with the 2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry in the US Army’s Fourth Infantry Division.

After leaving active duty, Secretary Pompeo graduated from Harvard Law School, having been an editor of the Harvard Law Review.

In a statement sent to the Aadland campaign, Secretary Pompeo stated:

“Whereas the current administration has failed to uphold our values both domestically and abroad, Erik Aadland will fight for policies that restore economic equilibrium, safe communities, and credible leadership on the world stage. Erik’s whole career, from the military to the private sector, has been in service to building a strong America. We need elected leadership that understands America’s role in championing the cause of freedom. Erik Aadland is one such leader, and I am excited to endorse him for Congress.”

Erik’s remarks:

“As a fellow member of West Point’s Long Gray Line and the Army Armor Officer Corps, it is a distinct honor to receive Secretary Pompeo’s endorsement. Secretary Pompeo has dedicated his life to serving this great nation and defending our freedom. He has never wavered from his oath to protect the United States Constitution against enemies foreign and domestic. Having taken that same oath and having dedicated myself to the same cause of freedom, I will continue to live the words of our shared alma mater: “Duty, Honor, Country.” It is the greatest privilege to serve our country alongside Secretary Pompeo.”

The American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee (AEPAC) is dedicated to promoting a positive, synergetic relationship between the United States and Ethiopia. The mission of AEPAC is to strengthen and foster the U.S.-Ethiopia relationship, enhance both countries security interests, as well as advance democracy, respect for human rights and free market entrepreneurship in Ethiopia.

AEPAC engages with and educate U.S. government officials, law makers, non-government organizations and the general public at all levels about the bonds that unite the two countries, with a particular emphasis on how AEPAC serves America’s best interest by strengthening the over a century old bond with one of its oldest allies.

In a statement sent to the Aadland campaign, AEPAC stated:

“As a veteran, Aadland has experienced the effects of war first-hand. He will be an ally to the Ethiopian-American community as we call for the U.S. to support the peace & security of Ethiopia.”

Erik’s remarks:

“I am honored to have the American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee’s endorsement. AEPAC is well attuned to the concerns of the Ethiopian-American community in our district, as well as the responsibility to steward a productive relationship between the U.S. and Ethiopia. While I understand the challenges facing Ethiopia both internally and internationally, I know Ethiopia’s potential to be a leader on the African continent. I believe the U.S.-Ethiopia relationship is important to enhancing security in the Horn of Africa region and establishing democratic and free enterprise institutions that can lead by example throughout Africa. As our next Congressman, I will advocate to improve this relationship from its recent difficulties. I am proud to have a community of such rich heritage as part of my constituency.”