Dan Crenshaw is a patriot, a conservative and now a Congressman.

In 2018, without any political experience, political connections or personal wealth to fund a campaign, Dan was faced with a rare opportunity to run for Texas’s Second Congressional District. As a Lieutenant Commander (retired) and former Navy SEAL, he saw this as another opportunity to serve his country, a worthy goal despite the challenges he would face as a new candidate. He advanced from the crowded primary into a two-way runoff, which he decidedly won with nearly 70% of the vote. He went on to defeat his Democrat opponent and was sworn into Congress in January 2019.

Ever the public servant, Dan knew from a very early age that he wanted to serve in the most elite military force in history: the U.S. Navy SEALs. His father’s career in the Texas oil and gas industry moved his family all over the world, including Ecuador and Colombia, but his desire to serve America deepened while he lived outside the US. Everything Dan did was to ensure he became a SEAL. After graduating from Tufts University, where he earned his Naval officer commission through Navy ROTC, he reported for SEAL training in Coronado, CA. This is where he met his wife Tara.

Dan was first deployed to Fallujiah, Iraq as part of SEAL Team Three. This was his first of five total deployments. On his 3rd deployment, Dan’s life changed forever. While on a mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dan was hit with an IED blast. He was evacuated and put into a medically induced coma. When he awoke, he learned that his right eye was completely destroyed and that his left eye was still intact but severely damaged. He was told he would never see again.

Dan refused to accept that fate. With Tara by his side every day, Dan never gave up. They prayed he would see again and remained hopeful. Despite the high risks that accompanied them, Dan opted for several difficult surgeries that could potentially bring back his vision in his left eye. In what the head surgeon described as a medical miracle, Dan eventually regained his vision in his left eye, although it was badly impaired and would need a rare contact or glasses.

Dan’s first move when he regained his vision back was to get back with the teams. He had to retrain everything he had previously mastered, but this time as left-hand dominant. He went on to deploy twice more, first back to the Middle East in 2014 and then South Korea in 2016.

To Dan’s chagrin, he was medically retired in 2016, after ten years as a SEAL. He left service with two Bronze Stars (one with Valor), the Purple Heart, and the Navy Commendation Medal with Valor, among many others.

Shortly after being retired, Dan attended the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. After completing his Master in Public Administration, he returned to Houston. It was during this time that Hurricane Harvey destroyed the community he knew as home. Dan did what he’s done his entire life, and jumped into action to serve others. He volunteered in areas of Katy. He saw first-hand the unimaginable loss that his family, friends and neighbors endured. More importantly he saw what makes Texans so special: the refusal to give up, the dedication to helping others, the unshakable determination, or Texas grit. With that in mind, that November Dan and Tara decided that they would continue their life of public service and run for office.

As a member of Congress, Dan is committed to improving the lives of TX-02 residents. That’s why his priorities include flooding, border security, human trafficking, and fiscally responsible spending. He serves on the Homeland Security and Budget Committees.

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