Dad Of Soldier Killed In Afghanistan Running For MN House
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The father of an openly gay soldier who was killed in Afghanistan has announced he will run for a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives in the fall.
Jeff Wilfahrt, who lost his son Andrew nearly a year ago, made the announcement in a fund-raising letter on Wednesday. Wilfahrt states in the letter that he was first approached about a possible run last summer but it wasn't until this past weekend the he made up his mind and decided to run.
Wilfahrt states he will fight to keep "discriminatory amendments" out of the Minnesota Constitution.
"As you are aware, last year in 2011 we lost our eldest son to an IED in Afghanistan. Had the GOP not put forward the Marriage Amendment for the 2012 ballot many of you would not know my name nor would you be receiving this beg letter," the letter states.
Wilfahrt, of New Ulm, Minn., worked at 3M for 15 years before taking a buyout in 1992. He worked on a contract basis for 3M until 2003 and said he has been self employed ever since.
He states in his letter that he believes in government, labor and education. He said he is pro-choice on the issue of abortion, highly supportive of an Equal Rights Amendment and supportive of a resolution to treat immigrants fairly.
