A 23-year veteran of the U.S. Army told The Pennsylvania Daily Star the explanation offered by the Harris-Walz campaign about the stolen valor allegations levied by Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) and veterans against Governor Tim Walz would only lead to more questions and skepticism from veterans.
Alfe Goodwin, the Pennsylvania Republican who will oppose Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05) in November, told The Star she enlisted after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and continues to serve in the reserve component.
“I understand the outrage that soldiers are having with him,” said Goodwin about Walz’s decision to retire from the U.S. National Guard one year before his unit’s deployment to Iraq in 2005.
Goodwin told The Star, “we must have that sense of faith and confidence in one another because… We put our whole self in each other’s hands.”
She explained, “We take an oath to defend, and this area is very sensitive for Governor Walz because it raises an eyebrow. I know I meant what I said when I took my oath.”
The Republican told The Star the scrutiny around Walz’s decision could have a ripple effect on recruitment.
“We must believe that you are my battle buddy that I’m in the foxhole with, that I’m in the trenches with, that I’m going to war with,” said Goodwin. “I have to believe that you’re telling me the truth.”
Goodwin (pictured above) also said the claim by the Harris-Walz campaign that the governor “misspoke” when he claimed to carry weapons of war on a battlefield, despite never serving in a war zone, raises more questions than it answers.
She questioned, “The problem is well, sir, if you misspoke about that, what else have you misspoken about?”
Goodwin told The Star she expects veterans will continue asking about Walz’s service and said she was personally fielding questions from supporters until 3 a.m. over the allegations.
“I really just hope that if everything that is being accused is true, that it’s a one-time incident and that it doesn’t have a negative effect [on the U.S. Armed Forces],” said Goodwin.
In a statement published by her campaign, Goodwin previously described the accusations levied at Walz as “massive and now almost legendary” but added, “I hope the rumors are unfounded.”
“I sincerely hope that those of us who have sworn allegiance and carried it through have not been corrupted by a vile concoction of poisonous ambition and leadership,” stated Goodwin.
Goodwin separately questioned the vetting process Vice President Kamala Harris created for her running mate but said it was unsurprising that Pennsylvania’s governor was skipped over in favor of a candidate who is not a vocal supporter of Israel.
“The interest was with Pennsylvania. Basically, you receive 17 electoral votes” by running Harris alongside Governor Josh Shapiro and receiving a home-field advantage in the Keystone State, the Republican explained.
After noting her own support for Israel, Goodwin explained, “With Governor Shapiro, because he is pro-Israel… forget Michigan, right? [Harris] knew that she could forget Michigan with Shapiro. It just wasn’t going to happen.”
Still, Goodwin told The Star the Electoral College math does not explain the decision to pick Walz.
“But this one I just I don’t know,” said Goodwin. “To me, it doesn’t seem as if he was properly vetted.”
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Alfe Goodwin” by Alfe Goodwin.Â
