Dean Malik to head Fitzpatrick's veterans campaign in 8th District race

Congressional hopeful Mike Fitzpatrick (R) has announced the formation of a committee of military veterans supporting his campaign for congress and has named former Bucks County prosecutor and Iraq War veteran Dean Malik to lead the effort.

“Among the highest duties of a federal office holder is to ensure that the promises made to our military men and women are kept. We must give our troops in harms way the tools they need to win. Our retired personnel deserve every benefit promised to them. I have fought for veterans before and I will do so again," said Fitzpatrick.

"It is an honor to be joined in this campaign by so many distinguished veterans, including Dean Malik. I am extremely grateful to have his support and the tremendous knowledge he brings. As head of a committee of military veterans supporting this campaign I am going to be looking to Dean for his expertise and insight as we reach out to veterans across the district.”

Malik has been a resident of Bucks County since leaving active duty in the United States Marine Corps in 2001. He served for four years as a Prosecutor at the Bucks County District Attorney's Office and has provided pro bono legal assistance to military veterans since that time. He started his career in the Marines as an enlisted man and has since risen to the rank of Major in the Marine Corps Reserves.

Since returning home to Bucks County from a seven month deployment to al Anbar Province, Iraq in 2008, he has worked closely with local veterans' organizations to identify and address the needs and concerns of Bucks County’s veteran community.

“I have always been impressed with Mike Fitzpatrick’s commitment to serving the needs of our community's military veterans and their families. As a Bucks County Commissioner, Mike strongly supported veteran’s, and in 2004 as our Congressman, Mike lead the charge to secure federal funding and approval for the Washington's Crossing National Cemetery," said Malik.

"While in Congress, Mike supported legislation for increased body-armor for our deployed service-members and helped to secure the expedited provision of state-of-the-art Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. These important force protection measures saved the lives of countless Americans in harm’s way.

"I am certain that Mike will continue to fight for our nation's service-members, military veterans, and their families and, in so doing, he will help to ensure the safety and security of our great nation as our next Congressman for Pennsylvania's 8th District.”