has called for war against Iran, believes Islam is a “totalitarian ideology,” and is running neck-and-neck against the incumbent Democrat whom he describes as “despicable.”
It is perhaps the only election contest this year where Iran has become an issue.
Forty-nine-year-old Republican congressional hopeful Allen West is hoping to claim the seat of his 53-year-old rival, Rep. Ron Klein. Klein, a moderate Democrat, describes West as an extremist, for his thoughts on a range of issues from believing Islam is not a valid religion and wanting to wage war against Iran, to using controversial tactics to scare an Iraqi prisoner during his time in the military and wanting to topple the American political establishment.
West, on the other hand, describes Klein as a “desperate,” despicable” and “disgusting individual,” threatening to take Klein out “behind the woodshed” and give him a “whopping.”
The former Army officer faces the incumbent representative for the second time on Election Day after finishing with 45 percent of the vote in 2008. At that time, he was outspent by Klein by more than four-to-one and faced a high Democratic turnout due to Barack Obama’s candidacy for president.
This time, with much of the voting population in Florida’s 22nd District looking for change yet again, the contest has become a national battleground. Klein and West are facing off in one of the three most expensive House races nationwide, where West has out-raised Klein $4 million to $2.5 million. The district encompasses the Atlantic coastline from Jupiter down through Palm Beach and south to Fort Lauderdale.
Klein was born and raised by middle class parents in Cleveland, Ohio. His father was the owner of a five-and-ten store and his mother was a schoolteacher. Klein, who practiced law, served in the Florida Legislature before unseating a 26-year GOP incumbent, Clay Shaw, in 2006.
Klein has been described as a moderate Democrat. He has opposed President Obama’s effort to end tax breaks for the rich, pushing for the break to be extended for at least one more year. The Jewish congressman has also taken a vocal stance on issues regarding Israel. Despite his unquestioned support of Israel, sometimes at the expense of bumping heads with President Obama, the president appeared earlier this month at a fundraiser for the congressman.
But West is also courting the Jewish vote, in a district with a high concentration of Jews. The Republican candidate has proven his support for Israel by stating that there is no viable two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians and that Israel’s borders should mirror what is dictated by the Bible. He also criticized Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, saying, “Abbas isn’t the leader of anything else than a gang.” In addition to his unequivocal support of Israel, West also believes the United States should move to attack Iran, though not its civilian infrastructure.
On Islam, West has also stirred controversy. “Islam is a totalitarian, theocratic, political ideology,” West has been quoted as saying. “It is not a religion.”
West grew up in a military family in Atlanta, the son of inner-city Democrats. He served in the Army for 20 years, but was relieved of his duty after he faced charges of mistreating an Iraqi detainee. West admitted firing a gun near the detainee’s head, threatening to kill him and allowing soldiers to beat him in hopes of scaring the prisoner into talking. He admitted wrongdoing in a military court, was fined and relieved of his command.