Retired Navy Cmdr. Kirk Lippold is sailing into the choppy waters of Nevada politics.

The former skipper of the USS Cole announced Thursday that he will seek the GOP nomination for Nevada's 2nd Congressional District held by Republican Rep. Dean Heller, who plans to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated next year by U.S. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev.

Lippold, 51, who grew up in Carson City, said he wants to bring a new vision to Congress and would focus on reducing the national deficit, which he calls an issue of national security.

"After 26 years of service in the Navy, I moved back to Nevada and the pull to get back into the service of the nation was too strong," Lippold told The Associated Press. "The way you affect the national security and policy of the United States is through elected office."

Lippold joins Sharron Angle, who was the first to announce her intent in the Republican race. Angle ran for the U.S. Senate last year and lost to Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Other Republicans contemplating the race include Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, state GOP Chairman Mark Amodei and state Sen. Greg Brower. Possible Democratic contenders include former congressional candidate Jill Derby, state Assemblywoman Debbie Smith and state Treasurer Kate Marshall.

Lippold said he believes he would bring a fresh perspective to Washington and the halls of Congress, and described Angle and Krolicki as "old guard career politicians."

"I believe it is time for new blood," he said.

If elected, Lippold said he would work to "get government out of our lives and then come home."

The biggest issue facing the nation is its debt, and cutting government spending should take priority, he said. All options should be considered, including changes to Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare, Lippold said.

"The size and scope of the deficit is at the point where our national security is now being jeopardized," he said. "Quite frankly, our ability to safeguard our national interests are tied to what we can afford."

Lippold was commander of the USS Cole when the ship was attacked by terrorists in 2000 while in Aden harbor, Yemen. Seventeen sailors were killed. A Navy investigation concluded Lippold and his crew probably could not have prevented the attack.

Lippold retired from the Navy in 2007 and has been working with Military Families United.

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20110414/NEWS/110419838/1070&ParentProfile=1058

Wow, I was really pulling for Senator Amodei but this is a game changer. I really like Commander Lippold and will probably end up supporting him.

Anyone is better then Angle.

i like leaders that had had some military... he's one to watch for

Yup, I just hope Angle doesn't win the primary. I wish she would just go away.

I also like that he's not a career polititian and he has experience in fighting Al Qaeda first hand.

"Lippold was commander of the USS Cole when the ship was attacked by terrorists in 2000 while in Aden harbor, Yemen. Seventeen sailors were killed. A Navy investigation concluded Lippold and his crew probably could not have prevented the attack"

Yep we gonna believe this...

What ship commander ports at a forigen port without ALERT and COMPLETE deck guards and proper small boat patrol?

Navy concluded my eye...

He was found not at fault.

again...

What ship commander ports at a forigen port without ALERT and COMPLETE deck guards and proper small boat patrol?

Navy played politics...

Conclusion was a Diplomatic Solution for a Regional Crisis...

Because Alert deck guards would have STOPPED the attack with small loss of life.

and no damage to the ship.

http://www.facebook.com/kirklippoldforcongress?sk=wall

www.kirklippoldforcongress.com

Actually prior to 9/11 and while President Clintons was in office, quite a few.

Did you guys check out his Facebook and Like it yet? Also follow his Twitter...... We got to ge tthe numbers higher then Sharron Angle.

Retired Navy Cmdr. Kirk Lippold has announced he will run for the congressional seat being vacated by Dean Heller.

Lippold, who lives in Carson City, was commander of the USS Cole when it was attacked by al-Qaida terrorists in Yemen in October 2000. The badly damaged vessel was repaired and returned to service.

He retired from the Navy after 26 years of service.

“I've never run for public office before,” he said. “I'm not a career politician and I don't intend to be one but there are times when the call to serve cannot be ignored. This is one of those times.”

Heller is leaving the District 2 seat to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by John Ensign.

Sharron Angle, who has run unsuccessful campaigns in the past for both the congressional seat and the U.S. Senate seat held by Harry Reid, also has announced she is running in District 2.

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki also has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the position but has made no announcement.

“I can't remember an election cycle in Nevada in which Sharron Angle or Brian Krolicki weren't running for something,” said Lippold, like both of them, a Republican. “They both have some good qualities but now is not the time for habitual, serial candidates. Now is the time for new conservative leadership.”

He said his campaign will be “a crusade for the taxpayers of my district.”

“I will fight every day to shrink the role of government, get Nevadans back to work and pay down the national debt,” he said.

Lippold was awarded several medals including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Combat Action Ribbon. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds a masters of science in systems engineering.

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20110415/ELECTIONS/110419823/1006&parentprofile=1058