Theodis Daniel, the father of Devarjay “DJ” Daniel, revealed to Fox News that he’s about to launch a bid for public office, inspired by his fight for his son when he was first diagnosed with a rare, aggressive form of cancer. The elder Daniel said that it was that ordeal that produced in him a surplus of courage he never knew he had in order to fight for his son.
That same courage is spurring him on to fight for the Texas’ 18th congressional district. After the show of bravery his young teenage son showed earlier in the year when he was officially made an honorary member of federal law enforcement, just imagine how hard his dad is willing to fight for the rights of others.
Daniel will be steeped in a field full of talented candidates across the political spectrum, however, the father, who’s also a veteran, said his campaign isn’t like any of the others running for the seat.
“I’m a regular guy. I am not a politician,” Daniel told Fox News. “I don’t have six-figure deals. I’m just a regular dude trying to make it. Single dad. I got three kids to myself. I’m a disabled veteran just trying to make a difference regardless of what I’m going through.”
Once upon a time, what Daniel said here would have been a liability. However, ever since Donald Trump took the presidency and the political world by storm, people are more interested than ever in voting in normal people without all of the trappings of a professional politician.
Daniel isn’t bought and paid for by special interest lobbyists. He isn’t beholden to someone else’s agenda. Only the platform and policy positions he himself believes in and those that best benefit the people he hopes to represent.
The veteran said that he’s going to “get up every day and get out there and make it happen” for the folks in his district.
“I don’t call myself a politician,” Daniel explained. “I’m a public servant first, because my duty is to the people.”
The Republican candidate said he is running “for those who struggle,” explaining that his campaign priorities – supporting law enforcement, safety, healthcare and education – aren’t just abstract ideas but “battles my family and I face every day.” Daniel’s 13-year-old son, DJ, was named an honorary U.S. Secret Service agent during President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress earlier this year. Daniel proudly raised his son up over his shoulder as politicians jumped to their feet for a standing ovation.
The moment catapulted Daniel into the national conversation, and the 13-year-old was invited to visit Trump at the White House the following day.
“Joining us in the gallery tonight is a young man who truly loves our police. His name is DJ Daniel, he is 13 years old, and he has always dreamed of becoming a police officer,” Trump said during his address. “Tonight, DJ, we’re going to do you the biggest honor of them all. I am asking our new Secret Service director, Sean Curran, to officially make you an agent of the United States Secret Service.”
This special young man has officially been sworn in as a member of 1,300 law enforcement agencies across the nation, the White House confirmed at the beginning of summer.
“DJ initially had five months to live, and we’ve beaten that,” Daniel told the outlet.
“I want to run because I feel like everything that my son and I have been doing for the last six years or so, we have brought joy to people’s lives and gave them hope, which I didn’t think it was going to turn into nothing like this, but it feels good,” Daniel remarked.
Daniel said the constituents of Texas’ 18th congressional district have been “duped,” and they are ready for real progress. He also committed to a term-limit if he’s elected to Congress this November, explaining that many elected officials lose sight of their mission and get too comfortable in office.
“Sometimes, when you marinate meat, you kind of ruin it. Some people just wear out their welcome. It’s like somebody coming to your house, wanting to stay for a little bit, and they stay there for two or three days,” Daniel explained to Fox. “Well, these folks got comfortable. When people get comfortable, they get lazy. When they get lazy, they get forgetful and disrespectful.”
Nailed it.
Here’s to wishing Daniel luck in his political endeavors.
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