Tom Waring, the Wire
State Rep. Scott Petri, a Republican candidate in the 8th Congressional District, announced that former United States Navy Secretary John Lehman will serve as a senior national security adviser to his campaign.
“I am honored that Secretary Lehman has decided to join our campaign,” Petri said. “Recent attacks in Paris and San Bernadino have demonstrated that our nation remains under threat from terrorists. Congress must be willing to lead and keep our citizens safe. Secretary Lehman brings an unparalleled level of expertise from his service as a member of the National Security Council, Secretary of the Navy and member of the 9/11 Commission that examined how to prevent future terrorist attacks on our homeland. He is a welcome addition to our team, and I’m honored to have his support.”
In addition to serving as Navy secretary from 1981–87 under President Reagan, Lehman served as a staff member to Henry Kissinger on the National Security Council, as delegate to the Force Reductions Negotiations in Vienna and as deputy director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. He also served as a member of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission created in 2002 to investigate the events leading to the terror attacks on the United States in 2001 as well as how to prevent future attacks.
“I am excited to work with Scott Petri to help keep our nation safe,” Lehman said. “It’s important to have leaders in Congress who understand the threats facing our nation and who are willing to make tough decisions to protect Americans at home and abroad.”
Petri serves as chairman of the House Ethics Committee. A lawyer, he lives in Upper Makefield Township with his wife, Ellen, and their son, Drew.
