In BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C., Alex Pelbath steps forward as a candidate for U.S. Congress in South Carolina’s 1st District, having been the last pilot to leave Afghanistan.

“I’ve experienced the harmful effects of entrenched politicians and frail leadership firsthand,” Pelbath stated. “After retiring for two years, I recognize that the battle continues. The issues with leadership persist.”

Pelbath, a conservative Republican with 22 years in the Air Force, supports President Trump’s initiatives across the board and feels his principles are essential for South Carolina’s future.

“We’re very lucky to have President Trump currently,” Pelbath expressed. “He’s an exceptional leader in the White House. In my opinion, he has achieved more in the past six months than any other president historically. Yet, the fight continues daily. I realized I’m not meant to be a bystander. Politicians in Washington are unnecessary; what we require are leaders.”

“Congress members with military backgrounds are renowned for achieving results,” noted Pelbath. “Currently, we have fewer veteran representatives than ever before. If we compare today to post-World War II, we valued those who served. Voters want more veterans and leaders who can make a difference in Washington.”

Pelbath is supportive of closed borders and a strong immigration policy.

“President Trump’s work on the border has been exceptional. He has significantly reduced border crossings,” Pelbath pointed out. “However, despite the progress, we still face challenges. There remain too many criminal immigrants in our country, making every state, including ours, a border state.”

Pelbath said, “So, continue to enforce those policies and teaming with Trump to make sure that that we see that through the closing of border policies. Legal Immigration. Nobody has a problem with every illegal immigrant here. And the argument for the economic impact sort of supposes that we’re okay paying under the table less than minimum wages to illegal aliens. And we’re not. Every illegal alien that we need to remove from this country is more jobs for Americans, more jobs for legal immigrants.”

Pelbath continued, supporting Trump’s economic policies as well.

“President Trump prevented the largest tax hike in history and in passing the Big, Beautiful Bill returned thousands of dollars to hardworking families,” Pelbath said. “Those of us here in the Lowcountry, those economic policies matter tremendously and so continue to fight that battle. It’s been six months to try to undo four years of terrible policy. We have to give it time and continue fighting to make sure those economic policies are seen through so that those of us in our country can reap the benefits.”

Pelbath blames the Charlie Kirk killing and many of the recent attacks on Americans on one group.

“The political rhetoric is very clearly coming from an extremist faction on the left,” Pelbath said. “The violence that we’re seeing is due very specifically to ridiculous comparisons. It’s a terroristic mindset and I believe that this that those of us on the right and the Democrats who understand that that rhetoric is dangerous need to be united.”

Pelbath does believe his leadership skills in the military translate perfectly to Washington.

“One of the great definitions is doing the right thing regardless of the consequences,” Pelbath said. “What voters need to know is that they’re voting for somebody who believes in America, first and foremost, who will unapologetically stand up for my beliefs. You will know exactly how I feel and how I’m voting on issues all the time. And you will get somebody of character. And it’s okay for us to disagree. That is going to happen. We should have that in our country. We should have positive, good civil discourse, what we shouldn’t have is extremism.”

Pelbath is in a crowded field of candidates for the seat being vacated by Nancy Mace.

Jack Ellison, Sam McCown and Mark Smith join Pelbath on the Republican primary ticket.

Robert Beers, Mac Deford, Mayra River-Vasquez and Max Diaz are all running on the Democratic side.