Dupage Policy Journal

Keith Pekau has issued the following press release:

March 2, 2023 - Several House Republicans are calling for an investigation and prosecution for the "unauthorized release" of their personal military records to a third party during the 2020 campaign season. 

Reps. Don Bacon, R-Neb., and Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, were both notified by the Air Force that their military records were released improperly as they were campaigning in the 2022 midterm elections, and they believe it was part of a political effort to hurt their campaigns.

Other midterm candidates were confronted with similar situations, including Jennifer Ruth-Green of Indiana. Green’s records of a sexual assault that occurred during her time in the Air Force were released to the public without her knowledge.

Mayor of Orland Park and Air Force Veteran, Keith Pekau issued the following statement:

“As a veteran, I find this situation completely disgraceful and totally unacceptable. Participation in partisan political activities by members of the military is a violation of Department of Defense Directive 1344.10.  As a candidate for Congress in the last election, and having proudly served my country as an officer in the United States Air Force,  I am deeply disturbed that my records may have been released illegally. I echo the calls from Reps. Bacon and Nunn for further investigation into whether there was political intent or a violation of the law by an employee of the Air Force. Those who serve our country should have confidence in their leadership’s ability to protect their military records from being used against them for political purposes. 

“It should be further noted that Politico gladly accepted and published the military records in the first place, and is now leading the coverage of the controversy around the release of other incumbents and candidates' records. If the media has any ethics left, surely this stands in violation of them. 

“The men and women of the Air Force have served our country with honor. They deserve our support and respect. Instead, those seeking to continue their service in Congress were met with harassment and intimidation by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the media. If this isn’t the dirtiest form of politics, I don’t know what is.”