Major General David Harris Announces Campaign for Congress
Decorated Combat Veteran Running to Fight for America’s Everyday Heroes
Salt Lake City, UT — Today, Major General (Ret.) David A. Harris, a decorated combat veteran, lifelong public servant, and former Commander of the United States Air Force Test Center, officially announced his campaign for Congress, saying that as conflict rises in Iran and instability grows across the Middle East, America needs leaders in Washington who understand war, national security, and the responsibility of protecting the nation.
Harris said he is running to bring accountability, fiscal responsibility, and mission-focused leadership back to Washington — and to fight for the everyday American heroes who keep this country strong: servicemembers, veterans, first responders, small business owners, workers, and families.
“I’ve spent my life defending freedom overseas,” Harris said. “Now I’m running for Congress to defend the American Dream here at home — for the families who work hard, serve their communities, and keep this country moving forward every single day.”
From combat missions during Operation Desert Storm to leading one of the Air Force’s most important national security enterprises, Harris has spent nearly four decades serving the United States. He says that experience taught him the cost of instability, the value of preparedness, and the importance of leadership grounded in service and accountability.
“When you serve in combat, you learn very quickly that heroism isn’t about rank or recognition,” Harris said. “It’s about ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things for something bigger than themselves. That’s who I’ve served with, and that’s who I’m running to serve now.”
As Commander of the Air Force Test Center, Harris led a $31 billion enterprise with more than 18,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel across Edwards, Eglin, and Arnold Air Force Bases, overseeing developmental testing and evaluation of advanced air, space, and cyber systems critical to America’s military and strategic advantage.
Commissioned in 1986 as a distinguished graduate of Brigham Young University’s Air Force ROTC program, Harris became a Master Combat Systems Officer with more than 2,000 flight hours across multiple aircraft platforms. His career included leadership roles in flight testing, research and development, global bomber programs, joint military operations, and as a Congressional Legislative Fellow.
“America doesn’t need more excuses from Washington,” Harris said. “It needs leaders who understand service, sacrifice, and responsibility. It needs leaders who know how to protect taxpayer dollars, strengthen our military, and make tough decisions with accountability.”
Harris said his campaign will focus on strengthening national security, supporting working families, restoring accountability in government, protecting constitutional freedoms, and ensuring America remains strong in an increasingly dangerous world.
“At the end of the day, this campaign is about the everyday Americans who do the right thing, work hard, serve others, and ask for little in return,” Harris said. “They deserve a Congressman who will fight for them and bring accountability, fiscal discipline, and serious leadership back to Washington.”
General Harris lives with his family in Payson, Utah.