Sam Brown
Brown in 2021
Personal details
Born
Samuel Boaz Brown

1983 or 1984 (age 39–40)
Arkansas, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Amy Larsen
​
(m. 2009)​
RelativesMike Brown (great uncle)
EducationUnited States Military Academy (BS)
Southern Methodist University (MBA)
WebsiteCampaign website
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
RankCaptain
Battles/warsWar in Afghanistan
AwardsBronze Star
Purple Heart

Samuel Boaz Brown[1] (born 1983)[2] is an American politician and veteran who served in the United States Army during the War in Afghanistan. In 2008, he was severely injured by an improvised explosive device, sustaining burns to thirty percent of his body. He returned to the United States for treatment, and his use of experimental procedures and methods for pain management received media coverage.

After his return, Brown started a business and became active in Republican Party politics, first in Texas and then in Nevada, where he moved in 2018. He unsuccessfully sought the party's nomination for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives in 2014 and in the U.S. Senate in Nevada in 2022.[3][4] He is a candidate for the U.S. Senate again, this time for the 2024 election.

Early life and family

Brown was born in Arkansas in a military family with a father and two younger brothers who also served in the War on Terror after the September 11 attacks.[3] He was educated at the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 2006.[4][5] He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Southern Methodist University.[6]

Military service

After completing his training from the United States Army Infantry School, Ranger School, and Airborne School, he joined 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.[6]

In 2008, he was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan.[6] Later, in September 2008, while supporting the multinational cooperative project of delivering a turbine to the Kajaki Dam,[7] he and his soldiers were wounded by an improvised explosive device when responding to another US Army unit that was ambushed and in a direct fire.[4]

As a result, thirty percent of his body was burnt, and he lost his left index finger.[4][8][9] Before the incident, he was serving in the U.S. Army as an Infantry Platoon Leader in Kandahar.[8] Later, he was evacuated and was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.[8] Due to this event, he is sometimes called Burning Man.[4]

His recovery from the burn wounds and experimental pain management solutions were covered by multiple media outlets. He was a participant in medical studies using virtual reality to reduce pain during physical therapy sessions.[7] His physical therapy was a long and painful process that lasted several years.[10]

In 2011, Brown retired as a Captain from the U.S. Army.[6] He returned to Afghanistan to provide inspiration to US troops deployed there in 2012 and to have a chance for a "proper exit".[11]

Professional work

Brown founded Palisade Strategies, a firm that provided emergency pharmaceutical support to Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics in cases where the local system needed to engage with the local private sector. He sold the business in 2022.[12]

Political campaigns

In 2014, Brown ran in the Republican primary for the Texas House of Representatives in District 102.[9] He finished in third place with 27.5% of the vote.[13]

In 2021, Brown launched his campaign to become a US Senator from Nevada.[2] His campaign drew national attention, both from media and fundraisers.[14][15] He raised over $1 million every quarter of his campaign as he sought to challenge a Republican who was endorsed by Donald Trump for the US Senate seat.[16]

Brown earned the support and endorsement of the local and state political party leaders.[17] Ultimately, his campaign against Adam Laxalt failed in the primary election.

Subsequent to this loss, Brown formed the Duty First PAC.[18] As of 2023, the Duty First PAC had spent most of its contributions to repay debts from Brown’s own 2022 campaign, with only 7% of its spending going to other Republican candidates.[19] In July 2023, he announced his second candidacy for the U.S. Senate, this time challenging incumbent Jacky Rosen in the 2024 election.[20] His second campaign has been endorsed by U.S. Senators Steve Daines of Montana[21] and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee.[22]

Nonprofit activity

Brown followed his 2022 campaign for US Senate by becoming the chairman of the non-profit organization Nevada Faith and Freedom Coalition.[23] The organization focuses on efforts to end human trafficking, advance criminal justice reform, and assist Nevada families who are dealing with poverty.[24]

Personal life

In May 2009, Brown married Amy Larsen, an Army first lieutenant from South Dakota and critical care dietitian who worked in the Department of Defense Burn Center at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.[4][8][9] The couple have three children and continued to live in Texas for several years after they both completed their military service in San Antonio. He first became involved in politics to continue serving while living in Dallas.[25] Brown and his family have lived in Reno, Nevada, since 2018 and are active members at their church, Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks.[26]

Awards

References

  1. ↑ United States Military Academy West Point - Howitzer Yearbook (West Point, NY) - Class of 2006. West Point, NY. 2006. p. 211.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. 1 2 Apgar, Blake (August 27, 2021). "U.S. Senate candidate Sam Brown running against the political class". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Trump's Pick for Nevada Senate Faces Tough Primary Challenge". Time.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jay, Kirk (January 31, 2012). "Burn Victim Sam Brown Treated With Virtual-Reality Video Game SnowWorld". GQ.
  5. 1 2 "We need new leaders and a new direction". Reno Gazette Journal.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Sam Brown".
  7. 1 2 "Kajaki Dam Turbine Delivered by NATO Forces". Reuters.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Soldier's life altering injury turns into unique war love story". www.army.mil.
  9. 1 2 3 Rogers, Tim. "Sam Brown: The Reformed Candidate". D Magazine.
  10. ↑ "Wounded troops mend as war coverage wanes". NBC News. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  11. ↑ "For servicemembers wounded in Afghanistan, a 'Proper Exit'". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  12. ↑ "About". palisade-strategies. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Texas House of Representatives District 102". The Texas Tribune. March 6, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  14. ↑ Steinhauser, Paul (October 7, 2021). "First-time GOP Senate candidate Sam Brown hauls in $1M in battleground Nevada". Fox News. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  15. ↑ Steinhauser, Paul (January 17, 2022). "First-time Nevada GOP Senate candidate Sam Brown hauls in $1M for second straight quarter". Fox News. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  16. ↑ "'Outsider' in Nevada's GOP Senate primary surges, rattling Trump's pick". NBC News. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  17. ↑ Staff, News 4 & Fox 11 Digital (May 2, 2022). "Sam Brown, Joey Gilbert get endorsement recommendations at Nevada GOP convention". KRNV. Retrieved April 3, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ↑ "Duty First PAC". Duty First PAC. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  19. ↑ Turner, Abby; Kaczynski, Andrew (August 12, 2023), Nevada GOP Senate candidate raised money to help other candidates – the funds mostly paid down his old campaign's debt instead, CNN, retrieved August 15, 2023
  20. ↑ Vakil, Caroline (July 10, 2023). "Retired Army Captain Sam Brown launches second run for Nevada Senate". The Hill.
  21. ↑ "Senate GOP lands a top recruit in Nevada". Politico. July 10, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Veteran Sam Brown wins Blackburn endorsement, raises major cash in Nevada Senate run". Fox News. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  23. ↑ llemmonds. "Nevada Faith and Freedom Coalition". Nevada Faith and Freedom Coalition. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Issues". Nevada Faith and Freedom Coalition. September 17, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  25. ↑ Nicholson, Eric. "Sam Brown, a Wounded Army Vet Profiled by GQ, is Running for the Texas House". Dallas Observer. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Officer Survives Blast, Now Serving Others - Calvary Chapel Magazine". May 25, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  27. ↑ Leach, Matt (June 14, 2022). "Nevada Senate candidate Sam Brown says front-runner Laxalt has 'taken voters for granted'". Fox News.
  28. ↑ "Gallery of Distinction". Northwood University. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
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