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Roy Srp endorsed by prominent ex-Republican and military hero

by Brian Faas

Joe Repya, a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army, endorsed Roy Srp in his run for State Senate.  Repya has been called an "American Hero" by many, including at least one progressive blogger.  The endorsement came in a letter to the Srp campaign.

"After reviewing his record as Mayor of Waseca, I highly endorse Roy Srp for election to the State Senate from District 26," said Repya in his Jan. 8 statement.  "Roy will be an independent voice for his district and serve with integrity and vision.  Roy will stand up for all Minnesotans and not for any failed political agenda.  I encourage everyone in SD 26 to vote on January 26 and send Roy Srp to fight for you in Saint Paul."

Repya is perhaps most famous for being the founder of the "Liberate Iraq" sign campaign.  In 2003, he distributed over 30,000 of the signs around Minnesota and gained national attention in the process.  Under the "Liberate Iraq" headline, the signs also included the plea to "Support Our Troops.  Call Your Congressperson!"  A subsequent rally at the State Capitol drew some 20,000 people.  Those actions earned Repya the honor of leading the entire delegation of the 2004 Republican National Convention in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

An Eagan resident today, Repya first served the Army as an infantry rifle platoon leader during the Vietnam War in 1970-1971.  He later learned to fly Army helicopters and remained on active duty until 1979.  He then became a member of the National Guard while pursuing a civilian career during the 1980s.

Repya re-joined the U.S. Army in 1990 and flew combat helicopter missions during the Desert Storm campaign that successfully removed Saddam Hussein's military from Kuwait.  In 2004, at age 58, Repya came out of retirement once again to serve in the 101st Airborne Division and was re-deployed to Iraq.

A highly-respected Minnesota Republican for over a decade, Repya split from that party in 2009.  In 2007, Repya asked then-Party Chairman Ron Carey to conduct an impartial audit of the Party's finances after allegations surfaced that approximately $1 million had gone missing.  When Carey adamantly refused the audit, Repya ran against him for control of the Minnesota GOP.  In a close contest, Repya lost by fewer than 50 votes.

Repya is expected to join Srp in one or more campaign appearances later this month.

You can help by contributing to the Srp for Senate campaign today!

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