IRAQ: Combat veterans signing up for Washington duty

In 2006, the only Iraq veteran elected to the U.S. Congress was Patrick Murphy, a Democrat, who served as an Army lawyer with the 82nd Airborne Division. He narrowly defeated a one-term incumbent in Pennsylvania.

None of the other Iraq veterans who ran that season were successful. Several more are trying again this year.

In one region, California's 52nd Congressional District in eastern San Diego County, it's virtually assured the winner will be a veteran of the war in Iraq.

The Republican candidate is Duncan D. Hunter, 31, a captain in the Marine reserves; the Democrat is Mike Lumpkin, 43, recently retired as a Navy SEAL commander. Both have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

-- Tony Perry, in San Diego

Photo: Capt. Patrick Murphy, now Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.)