Lippold announces Congress run

Retired Navy Cmdr. Kirk Lippold has announced he will run for the congressional seat being vacated by Dean Heller.

Lippold, who lives in Carson City, was commander of the USS Cole when it was attacked by al-Qaida terrorists in Yemen in October 2000. The badly damaged vessel was repaired and returned to service.

He retired from the Navy after 26 years of service.

"I've never run for public office before," he said. "I'm not a career politician and I don't intend to be one but there are times when the call to serve cannot be ignored. This is one of those times."

Heller is leaving the District 2 seat to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by John Ensign.

Sharron Angle, who has run unsuccessful campaigns in the past for both the congressional seat and the U.S. Senate seat held by Harry Reid, also has announced she is running in District 2.

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki also has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the position but has made no announcement.

"I can't remember an election cycle in Nevada in which Sharron Angle or Brian Krolicki weren't running for something," said Lippold, like both of them, a Republican. "They both have some good qualities but now is not the time for habitual, serial candidates. Now is the time for new conservative leadership."

He said his campaign will be "a crusade for the taxpayers of my district."

"I will fight every day to shrink the role of government, get Nevadans back to work and pay down the national debt," he said.

Lippold was awarded several medals including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Combat Action Ribbon. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds a masters of science in systems engineering.