Joe Kent, War Hero, Defended by Former Staffer

Ozzie Gonzalez shares firsthand account of working for Kent, emphasizing his military background and principled foreign policy stance.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 12:04am

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In a letter to the editor, Ozzie Gonzalez, a former staffer for Joe Kent, defends Kent's military service and principled foreign policy positions. Gonzalez emphasizes Kent's intelligence, combat experience, and opposition to "NeoCon adventurism" that he believes does not serve American interests.

Why it matters

This letter provides a firsthand perspective on Joe Kent, a controversial political figure who has drawn criticism for his foreign policy views. Gonzalez's account highlights Kent's military background and principled stance, which could resonate with some voters, even as Kent faces scrutiny from others.

The details

Gonzalez shares that he initially only received a $1,500 per month stipend to work for Kent, even though COVID unemployment was paying more at the time. However, Gonzalez chose to work for Kent because he saw in him someone who "genuinely cared about this country." Gonzalez praises Kent's intelligence and combat experience, noting that he was awarded 6 bronze stars. Gonzalez also defends Kent's opposition to "NeoCon adventurism" and the current war in Iran, arguing that it does not serve American interests.

  • Gonzalez started working for Kent during his last semester in college.

The players

Joe Kent

A political figure with a military background who has drawn criticism for his foreign policy views.

Ozzie Gonzalez

A former staffer for Joe Kent who is defending Kent's military service and principled foreign policy stance in a letter to the editor.

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What they’re saying

“Joe's not a kook or conspiracy nut. He's intimately familiar with the complex mix of cultures and peoples in the Middle East. Someone also has to be highly intelligent to not only survive 11 combat deployments there, but be awarded 6 bronze stars.”

— Ozzie Gonzalez, Former Staffer

“Iran's regime was at the negotiating table and after last year's strikes against them, they warned the US of feint strikes near our bases that they had to carry out to save face. No Americans were harmed. That's not behavior from a regime that poses an imminent threat to US citizens.”

— Ozzie Gonzalez, Former Staffer

The takeaway

This letter provides a nuanced perspective on a controversial political figure, highlighting his military service and principled foreign policy stance, even as he faces criticism from others. It underscores the complex and divisive nature of current political debates.