NY-22: Francis Conole (D)
Francis Conole’s roots in Syracuse, New York, run deep, going back to the late 1800’s when his family emigrated here from Ireland in pursuit of the American Dream. Public service in the Central New York community runs in his blood, with his family being made up of teachers, social workers, nurses, veterans, and police officers.
Growing up, his mother wrote for the Post Standard and his father was a health care administrator for over 40 years. He served nearly 30 years in the U.S. Army Reserves.
After graduating from Westhill High School in Onondaga County, he received a nomination from Rep. James Walsh and was later accepted into the Naval Academy Class of 2001.
He graduated from the Naval Academy three months before 9/11. Shortly after, he reported to the U.S.S. WASP where, at 25 years old, he led a division of almost 40 sailors and was tasked with maintaining the propulsion of a 40,000-ton ship. He would later serve on an Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer, where he trained the crew to navigate the ship and respond to damage.
In 2010, he was re-activated and deployed with Army Special Forces into a combat zone in Iraq where he worked alongside Iraqi Forces and planned the safe withdrawal of U.S. Special Forces. After his return, he utilized the G.I. Bill to receive a master’s degree from the University of Maryland, and earned a master’s in National Security Studies from the Naval War College.
He continued his service at the Pentagon as a policy advisor to Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Jim Mattis. He advised on U.S. Defense Policy for Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel drafting strategy that protected U.S. interests and strengthened our partnerships in the Middle-East, which resulted in being awarded the Defense Meritorious Achievement Medal.
The above information was sourced from the candidate’s campaign website.
