Local Politicians Endorse Bongino For Senate Seat

Story and Photo by John Singleton

After a 12-year career with the Secret Service, Dan Bongino resigned his position in May 2011 to run as a Republican against Ben Cardin for the United States Senate seat in Maryland. When he left the federal government he lost his pension, health benefits and other government perks. It’s not a chance most people would take during an economic recession, but Bongino explains he has been an underdog all his life.

“Dan Bongino can relate to the average Marylander," said State Senator Ed Reilly. “Dan understands the difficult choices we face in this weak economy. His candidacy gives us a chance to turn the page and send someone to Washington who has actually lived a life similar to those he'd be elected to represent."

Bongino grew up in an apartment on the border of Brooklyn and Queens, New York. His mother was a grocery clerk and his father a plumber who always dreamed of being an FBI agent.

“Dan Bongino has my full support and admiration,” said Delegate Nic Kipke of Pasadena. “I’ve spent a lot of time with Dan in and around Pasadena and people relate to him. He’s rolled up his sleeves and worked his way up in life and represents the values that local residents want in a senator.”

In 1997, Dan Bongino became a New York City police officer. As a police cadet, he attended The City University of New York full-time where he earned a master’s degree in psychology. He also has a bachelor’s degree from Queens College in New York and an MBA from Penn State.

“I’ve been very impressed with Dan and his grasp of economic issues,” said Ron George, delegate of District 30 and chair of Anne Arundel County Delegation. “I find him to be honest and a good family man. We need more of those in Congress. I’ve found him to be a reasoned individual who makes a decision and leads.”

When Bongino entered the Secret Service, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of his father’s. Today, 37-year-old Bongino and his wife, Paula, have two children, Isabel, 8, and Amelia, six months. They live in Severna Park.

“One of the most interesting things about Dan Bongino is that he was a Secret Service Agent in the Obama White House months before deciding to run for Senate,” added Kipke. “He was the lead advance agent that cleared President Obama to land in his December 2010 trip to Afghanistan. Dan has an intimate knowledge of who President Obama is, and that became a real motivator to run for Senate and present an alternative vision of what America should be.”

In the November election, Bongino faces one more uphill battle against Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat who has made a career of electoral politics counting back to 1967.

“If you think Barack Obama’s policies have resulted in job growth, a reduction of the debt, and have made America stronger, then you should vote for Ben Cardin,” noted Delegate Herb McMillan of District 30. “If you think we need to create more private-sector jobs rather than public-sector jobs, if you believe that small business - not government - creates jobs, and if you believe we should reduce the debt and spending, then you should vote for Dan Bongino.”