the Left hook - 17 - The Standard

In this engaging episode of The Left Hook, host Mark Bland welcomes Fred Wellman, a retired Army veteran, host of the On Democracy podcast, and Democratic candidate challenging longtime Republican Rep. Ann Wagner for Missouri's 2nd Congressional District seat. Wellman, a West Point graduate, Ranger, and helicopter pilot with four combat tours—including Desert Storm and Iraq—shares what drove him to run: frustration with Republican policies that hurt working families, like cuts to healthcare and SNAP, juxtaposed against billionaire excess. He recounts personal stories, including helping his bartender son access Medicaid under the ACA, and contrasts that with GOP rhetoric dismissing young workers as "lazy." Wellman criticizes Wagner for never holding a town hall in 13 years, refusing constituent engagement, and enabling unchecked executive overreach, vowing to represent all district residents regardless of party.The conversation turns deeply personal as Wellman opens up about the heavy toll of military service—losing two soldiers in Desert Storm, his interpreter beheaded in Iraq, and profound PTSD treated through years of therapy. He reflects on survivor's guilt, the moral weight of ordering troops into harm's way, and how these experiences shape his view that leaders must take war seriously. Bland and Wellman discuss broader issues like generational wealth decline, skyrocketing housing and energy costs, abortion rights ignored despite Missouri voters passing Amendment 3, and the need for investment in education, healthcare, and veterans rather than endless cuts. Fred positions his campaign as service-driven, promising accessibility and focus on affordability for the next generation. Listeners can learn more at wellmanformo.com.