JEFFERSON CITY - In a vicious attack on Rep. Jim Avery’s military service in Iraq, his Democrat opponent sent an e-mail to supporters this weekend in another example of Democrat disregard for our veterans and their weakness on the war on terror.

“Come share in helping us retire Representative Jim Avery to full time Officers Candidate School in the Missouri National Guard,” Judie Parker said of Avery. “He wants to go – he told us so.”

Avery, a former Marine who served in Somalia in the early 1990s, is currently in the Missouri National Guard and served with A Company, 1140th Engineer Battalion in “Operation Iraqi Freedom” from 2004-2005. Avery was elected to the House in 2002 and 2004 representing the people of the 95th District.

“Judie Parker should apologize to Jim Avery and all veterans who are committed to serving their country. It is pathetic that this type of gutter politics is aimed at one of our veterans,” said Paul Sloca, communications director for the Missouri Republican Party. “Judie Parker’s attack reflects the weak and dangerous approach that Claire McCaskill and her friends in the national Democrat Party have taken toward the war on terror.”

Rep. Avery can be contacted at 314-302-5553.