Candidate for
United States Representative; District 1; Republican Party

Bech gets endorsement of former Republican congressman
05th July 2008

Nathan Bech of West Springfield, a candidate for U.S. Representative from the 1st Congressional District, got a boost from the endorsement of former Congressman Peter Torkildsen. Torkildsen along with Peter Blute were the last two Republicans from Massachusetts to hold seats in Congress. Both Blute and Torkildsen lost their seats in 1996.

Torkildsen who appeared at an event for Bech in Orange, explained that though he is chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party, he was at liberty and eager to endorse Bech early, because there is no Republican primary race. Torkildsen, who served on the Armed Services Committee, trumpeted Bech's experience as an intelligence officer who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bech spent 282 days in Afghanistan and 215 days in Iraq. Bech also studied Middle East Policy as a civilian in both [sic] India, Israel, and Egypt. The Torkildsen endorsement rounds out a strong week for Bech, that began with the endorsement of former Gov. Jane Swift in Pittsfield.

Greenfield Recorder
Greenfield, Massachusetts
Local and Regional Section