It is with a profound sense of honor and humility that I ask once again to be your candidate, a “peoples’ candidate” for the U.S. Congress. We have worked hard this past year to build a better future for our families and I take not one step of our historic journey for granted.

From the farms of Sampson county to Carolina Beach, in 2010, good folks dared to believe that their conservative voices might be heard. Working together, we sent a message  and our progress is a testament to you and to the thousands of conservative friends just like you across this district and this country. 

Why did you work so hard?  Because we share the conservative philosophy of our great president Ronald Reagan: you believe in prosperity through freedom and peace through strength.  Why have you, the people, asked me to run again? Because when you met me at French’s Burgers, the Dublin Peanut festival, or Bryant’s Gun shop, you saw that despite my weaknesses and flaws, I have a servant’s heart. That my willingness to fight and die for this country not once, but twice, told you more about my character than millions of dollars of nasty TV commercials ever could.  

From Leland to Lumberton, you have worked and you have sacrificed, but there are still unmet challenges ahead. If you agree that a ten percent unemployment rate is unacceptable, then I need your help.  If you are concerned that our government has overreached its authority by spending and borrowing away your children’s future, then please join me.  Help me to unleash the innovation of the private sector to create jobs.  Together we can roll back the choking effect of regulation, taxation, and unionization in order to make America competitive again.

Does it seem that the Democratic leadership is ill-prepared for the security or foreign policy challenges of the day?  Would you have retreated from Iraq in 2007 like Barack Obama and Mike McIntyre wanted to?  Allow me the opportunity to protect you and your families from the wolves at the door.  Our borders must be secured, and our enemies must be made sure of our seriousness of purpose. You know that after fighting two wars as a U.S. Marine, I have the scars to prove I mean business. 

Please stand with me to preserve conservative values like the sanctity of the unborn, the defense of marriage, and the right to bear arms.  Join me in ensuring that the Democrats do not retake control of the Congress, as they are planning to do.  We cannot allow them to make a mockery of our values or to continue to damage our fragile economy with any more reckless policies like Obamacare and Cap and Trade.   I need your help if we are to safeguard our Republic.

Can I count on your prayers and your help to secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity?

Please check back in as we update our website and join our Facebook at Pantano For Congress. 

I remain Semper Fidelis, “Always Faithful”

Ilario Pantano