AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ A U.S. fighter pilot who was shot down over Bosnia is running for the Texas House of Representatives.
Capt. Scott O’Grady was flying an F-16 when he was shot down by Bosnian Serbs in 1995 while enforcing a NATO no-fly zone. He evaded capture for six days before he was rescued by U.S. Marines.
Now he is running as a conservative Republican in District 33, which will be in North Texas after redistricting. The district is centered on Rockwall, but forms a fish hook shape into Collin County. The area’s current legislator is Republican Rep. Jodie Laubenburg.
O’Grady said in a statement that he will champion small business, oppose big government and defend gun rights.
District maps are redrawn every 10 years and must account for population changes.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)