Chris Wakim
Encyclopedia
Chris Wakim is a former member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
having represented the Third District from 2003 to 2007. He is also the 2008 Republican nominee for the First Senatorial District in West Virginia. The Third District represents the majority of citizens in Ohio County, WV
. In the 77th West Virginia House of Delegates, Wakim was the Ranking Republican on the Veterans Affairs/Homeland Security committee. The grandson of Lebanese immigrants, he graduated from West Point in 1980.
During his 11-year Army career, Wakim attained the rank of Captain, along the way suffering a broken back, crushed elbow, and reconstructed knee while an infantry officer. He now has disabled veteran status. Wakim has not provided specific details about how the accidents occurred.
in the West Virginia
1st Congressional district. The NRCC
saw Mollohan's seat as being vulnerable because of allegations over his financial disclosures, investment gains, and use of earmarks.
Wakim's campaign was supported by top Republican leadership in 2006. Vice President Dick Cheney
, then-Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert
, and Representative Roy Blunt
(R-Mo.) assisted in the unsuccessful campaign. By July 1, 2006, Wakim had $318,000 cash-on-hand.
.
. The absence of the medal makes one a Gulf War-era veteran." said a spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars
. Wakim said he does not have that medal, although the Federal government designated that those who served on active duty during a specified period are indeed veterans of that war. Wakim served during that period designated as the Gulf War. Furthermore, records show he was stationed at Fort Devens in Massachusetts
from 1988 to 1991, the period encompassing that of the Gulf War, and applied his knowledge of desert operations by training and evaluating Guard and Reserve units for deployment to the Middle East.
In a 2006 interview with the Arab American Institute
, Wakim discussed the details of his Gulf War service, saying his background as an Arab-American and his education were valuable to the Army. "My company specialized in desert warfare, and certainly that was a timely specialty because of the first Gulf War," he said. “I lent my expertise as a desert fighter to develop our fighting force. …I can tell you from personal experience that once the first bullet is shot, the best-laid plans usually go by the wayside."
West Virginia House of Delegates
The West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
having represented the Third District from 2003 to 2007. He is also the 2008 Republican nominee for the First Senatorial District in West Virginia. The Third District represents the majority of citizens in Ohio County, WV
Ohio County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 47,427 people, 19,733 households, and 12,155 families residing in the county. The population density was 447 people per square mile . There were 22,166 housing units at an average density of 209 per square mile...
. In the 77th West Virginia House of Delegates, Wakim was the Ranking Republican on the Veterans Affairs/Homeland Security committee. The grandson of Lebanese immigrants, he graduated from West Point in 1980.
During his 11-year Army career, Wakim attained the rank of Captain, along the way suffering a broken back, crushed elbow, and reconstructed knee while an infantry officer. He now has disabled veteran status. Wakim has not provided specific details about how the accidents occurred.
2006 campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives
Wakim was unsuccessful in defeating incumbent Democrat Alan MollohanAlan Mollohan
Alan Bowlby Mollohan is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1983 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
in the West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
1st Congressional district. The NRCC
National Republican Congressional Committee
The National Republican Congressional Committee is the Republican Hill committee which works to elect Republicans to the United States House of Representatives....
saw Mollohan's seat as being vulnerable because of allegations over his financial disclosures, investment gains, and use of earmarks.
Wakim's campaign was supported by top Republican leadership in 2006. Vice President Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
, then-Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert
Dennis Hastert
John Dennis "Denny" Hastert was the 59th Speaker of the House serving from 1999 to 2007. He represented as a Republican for twenty years, 1987 to 2007.He is the longest-serving Republican Speaker in history...
, and Representative Roy Blunt
Roy Blunt
Roy D. Blunt is the junior United States Senator from Missouri. He is a member of the Republican Party. His Senate seat was previously held by Republican Kit Bond, until his retirement....
(R-Mo.) assisted in the unsuccessful campaign. By July 1, 2006, Wakim had $318,000 cash-on-hand.
Controversies
In August 2006, Wakim's opponent questioned the accuracy of biography and curriculum vitae was brought into question, specifically Wakim's specific college degrees and combat veteran status during the Persian Gulf WarGulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
.
Gulf War veteran
Wakim’s claim that he is a "Gulf War veteran" has been challenged. "To be considered a veteran of the first Gulf War, one must receive the Southwest Asia Service MedalSouthwest Asia Service Medal
The Southwest Asia Service Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by order of President George H.W. Bush on March 12, 1991. The award is intended to recognize those military service members who performed duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War...
. The absence of the medal makes one a Gulf War-era veteran." said a spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Veterans of Foreign Wars
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a congressionally chartered war veterans organization in the United States. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, VFW currently has 1.5 million members belonging to 7,644 posts, and is the largest American organization of combat...
. Wakim said he does not have that medal, although the Federal government designated that those who served on active duty during a specified period are indeed veterans of that war. Wakim served during that period designated as the Gulf War. Furthermore, records show he was stationed at Fort Devens in Massachusetts
Fort Devens, Massachusetts
Devens, Massachusetts is an unincorporated village and census-designated place in the towns of Ayer and Shirley, in Middlesex County and Harvard in Worcester County in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It is the successor to Fort Devens, a military post that operated from 1917 to 1996. The area...
from 1988 to 1991, the period encompassing that of the Gulf War, and applied his knowledge of desert operations by training and evaluating Guard and Reserve units for deployment to the Middle East.
In a 2006 interview with the Arab American Institute
Arab American Institute
Founded in 1985, the Arab American Institute is a non-profit membership organization based in Washington D.C. that focuses on the issues and interests of Arab-Americans nationwide. James Zogby, brother of pollster John Zogby, is founder and president of the AAI....
, Wakim discussed the details of his Gulf War service, saying his background as an Arab-American and his education were valuable to the Army. "My company specialized in desert warfare, and certainly that was a timely specialty because of the first Gulf War," he said. “I lent my expertise as a desert fighter to develop our fighting force. …I can tell you from personal experience that once the first bullet is shot, the best-laid plans usually go by the wayside."
External links
- Chris Wakim for Congress website
- Democrat Leaves Ethics Panel (The Washington Post)
- "Arab American veteran wants to represent W. VA district" The Arab American News
- "Candidate’s military resume questioned" by Rick Maze, Army Times
- Candidate 'war veteran' and 'Harvard degree' claims challenged
- "Candidate’s H-Bomb Questioned" "The Harvard Crimson"
- "Mollohan foe defends Harvard degree, military-service record" The Hill