EXCLUSIVE: Army veteran, 32, reflects on the chaotic end to the Afghanistan war that spanned most of his lifetime – as he plots path to becoming the GOP’s youngest elected lawmaker in 2024

Orlando Sonza would likely be the youngest Republican in Congress if elected, and that hasn’t stopped the 32-year-old father-of-four from plunging into a controversial battle for a Cincinnati suburban swing district.

Sonza, the son of Filipino immigrants, told DailyMail.com that minority families like his are tired of political extremism on both sides. He is one of several candidates with an impressive resume who are propelling the campaign arm of the Republican House of Representatives at the start of this cycle.

“I think what you’re seeing again now is that Americans — largely minority Americans — don’t attribute the polarization of politics,” he said.

“I think it’s the principles behind conservatism,” Sonza said of the recent trend among historically Democratic Asian Americans who voted Republican in recent elections.

“I think the conservative movement – ​​the principle portrayed by the other side – is about equal outcomes versus equal opportunity, the role of big government in our day-to-day lives, which then affects individual freedom and the ability to change your life story through your own hard work. work and dedication.

Sonza and his wife Jessica have four children in suburban Cincinnati

The candidate met his wife Jessica while attending West Point

And Sonza knows something about that.

The candidate met his wife Jessica when he went to West Point, and in between settling in Cincinatti and having four children, he served four years in the military, went back to school for accounting and worked on taxes for Ernst and Young, and then earned a law degree and began a career as a Hamilton County district attorney.

“My opponent is someone who seems more interested in attention-grabbing headlines, like posing shirtless on the front page of The Cincinnati Enquirer to showing off his personal tattoos than serious leadership trying to solve the complex problems that affect our nation, and I intend to send that conflicting message in full.”

Sonza takes on Democrat Greg Landsman, who overthrew an incumbent GOP in the last election.

The Biden administration’s failed withdrawal from Afghanistan exactly two years ago is a strong motivating factor behind his reason for running.

When Kabul fell to the Taliban, Sonza said it caused “heartbreak” for him and his wife, both army veterans.

The “hasty” US withdrawal was a signal to the 2,400 Americans who lost their lives that their sacrifice had been in vain, the candidate said.

The two-decade war had been going on for most of his life. But pulling out properly would have taken more time, time that President Biden claimed he didn’t have — he said he was bound by a treaty former President Trump signed with the Taliban.

“The message we sent to those brave men and women who were willing to die and some did in defense of our nation is that we have failed you. Your effort was in vain,’ he said.

“It shows weak leadership,” Sonza said. ‘More time was needed. For the sake of the servicemen and women who have sacrificed over the past two decades.”

The exact markings of Sonza’s 1st congressional district are still unknown – the state Supreme Court is still looking at the redistricting map. But he certainly faces a fierce political battle: By 2022, incumbent Mr. Greg Landsman had wrestled the swing district back from a Republican.

Sonza declined to say who he would vote for in the 2024 GOP presidential primary, but pledged to vote Republican “whoever the nominee is.”

When it came to the now four charges against Trump and the Biden family’s business deals, Sonza said he believes the Justice Department is “armed” against Trump.

He is perfectly on board with a potential Biden impeachment inquiry, despite the political implications such partisan efforts could have in moderate districts.

Sonza and his wife are both veterans

When Kabul fell to the Taliban, Sonza said it caused “heartache” for him and his wife, both army veterans.

In a referendum touted as a victory by Democrats, Ohio residents last week voted 57 to 43 percent against No. 1 — a proposal that would have increased the number of votes needed to amend the state’s constitution from a simple majority to 60 percent.

The vote came ahead of a November referendum that would enshrine abortion rights in the state’s constitution — after the overturning of Roe v. Wade triggered a six-week abortion ban that has since been held up by lower courts.

The amendment stipulates that abortion may only be restricted after viability – about 22 to 24 weeks – and only if it does not harm the life and health of the mother. Republicans argue the provision would allow abortions “up to birth.”

Sonza insisted that Issue 1’s failure should not be taken as a barometer of things to come.

“Ohioans spoke very clearly: They are satisfied with the process of amending the Constitution — the 50 percent plus one threshold.

“I believe in the next 90 days the people of Ohio will be really receptive to understanding what this November amendment means: that is the most extreme constitutional amendment we will see in Ohio.”

He continued, “As a father of four, I believe our country should be a place where there is no abortion. From that personal conviction, I also understand the reality that a majority of Americans support legal abortion to some degree.”

The candidate said he understands that most Americans support abortion rights up to 14 weeks, but support in the third trimester is rapidly declining.

“The bottom line is that voters know exactly what they are voting for. And so I don’t see the problem of failure as a harbinger of things to come in November,” he added.