Gerard Bowen

Gerard J. Bowen Jr. is a Independent candidate in the 2008 congressional elections for the 4th Congressional District (map) of Louisiana. As an Independent he will be on the General Election ballot on November 4, 2008.

Bio
Due to Hurricane Gustav, the General Election has been delayed to December 6, 2008.

He was born September 8, 1970 in Metairie, La, which is in the New Orleans area. He is Married to Mary Norman of Paradise, Utah. They were married at the Navy Chapel on the Naval Support Activity in Algiers, La on November 14, 1992. In 2005 they were forced to the Shreveport-Bossier City area by Hurricane Katrina and have since made it their home. They have 2 children, Gerard John Bowen III and Maxwell Norman Bowen.

He is a 1989 graduate of East Jefferson High School. In 1999 He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology/Athletic Training from Washington State University and in 2005 earned a Master of Healthcare Administration degree from Tulane University.

Military Service and Awards
Gerard served in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. He has 12 years of total service, 7 of which has been on Active Duty. During his time he served in combat with the 2d Combat Engineer Battallion in the first Gulf War in 1991. He also served at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and was a Plankowner on the USS Kearsarge. In addition, he served a year in the Idaho Army National Guard with the 216th Military Intelligence Company of the 116th Calvary Brigade.

His awards include:

Enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialist, Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (2 awards), Navy Battle Efficiency Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, Fleet Marine Force Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal (2 awards), Southwest Asia Service Medal (Fleet Marine Force Combat Operations Insignia & 3 campaigns), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal (2 awards), Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Mobilization), Army Service Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait) Navy Pistol Marksman Ribbon, Secretary of the Navy Letter of Commendation

Committees
Bowen will be assigned committees if and when he is elected to Congress.

Affiliations
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Golden Key National Honor Society, National Athletic Trainers Association, East Jefferson High School Alumnni Association, Cybertigers(an online LSU Fan community).

Campaign Contact Information
Gerard J. Bowen Jr. for Congress PO Box 5453 Bossier City, LA 71171 e-mail: gerard@electbowenjr.com

Related SourceWatch articles

 * 2008 U.S. congressional elections
 * 2008 U.S. congressional election dates
 * Portal:Louisiana and the U.S. Congress

External resources

 * Gerard J. Bowen Jr for Congress website