Chris Day (politician)
| Chris Day | |
|---|---|
| Republican candidate for United States Congress, New York's 17th Congressional District | |
| Opponent(s) | Nita Lowey (D) |
| Incumbent | Nita Lowey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 29, 1984 Nyack, New York, US |
| Political party | Republican |
| Other political affiliations |
Conservative (cross-endorsed) |
| Spouse(s) | Jennifer Moccio (m. 2014) |
| Children | Christopher Jr. |
| Alma mater | Columbia Business School Yale University Rockland Community College |
| Occupation | • Private Equity & Venture Capital • United States Army officer |
| Religion | Episcopal |
| Awards | Bronze Star Ranger Tab Combat Infantryman Badge |
| Website | http://www.voteforday.com/ |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/branch |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 2007–2011 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Unit |  82nd Airborne Division 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War Afghanistan War |
Christopher E. "Chris" Day (born December 29, 1984) is an American politician and former officer in the United States Army. He was the 2014 Republican candidate for Congress for New York's 17th congressional district.[1][2] A former Army captain, Day holds an MBA from Columbia Business School in New York, New York and a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Yale University. He is a lifelong resident of Rockland County, New York.[3]
Early life and Education
Chris Day was born in Nyack Hospital to Edwin and Jean Day and raised in New City, NY. He graduated from Clarkstown North High School in 2003, Rockland Community College in 2005 with an Associate degree, and earned his Bachelor's Degree from Yale in 2007. While at Yale, he was active in the Yale Political Union, helped organize the Army ROTC company for the southern tier of Connecticut and served as its first cadet commander, and spent a month-long rotation with the 1-15th Field Artillery at Camp Hovey, South Korea. He earned the designation of Distinguished Military Graduate for his academic and military performance and was the top ranked Cadet in the state.[4]
Military Service
Chris Day was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the US Army Infantry and stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia for training in 2007. While at Fort Benning, he completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Airborne School, and Ranger School. After completing his training, Chris was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina as a Platoon Leader with F Company, 51st Infantry (Long Range Surveillance) in July 2008, and immediately deployed to FOB Sykes in Tal Afar, Iraq to join the unit there in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He spent just over two months in Iraq participating in surveillance and reconnaissance missions in the area between Mosul and the Syrian border.[3][5]
Upon returning to Fort Bragg, he transferred to the 4-73 Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance, & Target Acquisition) of the 82nd Airborne Division, deploying to the Farah Province of Afghanistan as a Platoon Leader. He spent a year in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from August 2009 to August 2010, including the areas of Bala Murghab, Shewan and Bala Buluk. Towards the end of the deployment, he was promoted to Squadron Senior Logistics Officer (S4) and earned the rank of Captain.[3]
During his military service, he earned 17 awards and decorations:[3]
- Bronze Star
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- Ranger Tab
- Parachutist’s Badge
- Army Commendation Medal
- Army Achievement Medal
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (awarded twice)
- National Defense Service Medal
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars
- Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Army Service Ribbon
- Overseas Service Ribbon
- NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Medal
- Combat Service Identification Badge:
- 82nd Airborne Division
- 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
Post-Military & Private Sector
After leaving the Army, Chris returned to Rockland County and earned his MBA from Columbia Business School in 2013 and began working in the private equity & venture capital industry at Selway Capital, where he is currently a Vice President.[6] In 2013, Chris was named to Rockland County’s Forty Under 40 for community service and professional achievement[7] and managed his father Ed Day’s successful County Executive campaign in Rockland County.[8][9][10]
2014 Election
Facing a substantial deficit in party registration and total funds raised, Chris was defeated by Nita Lowey in the 2014 General Election by a margin of 54% to 46%, equaling her smallest historical margin of victory since taking office, which she last saw in the 1992 General Election.[11][12] In an apparent reaction to polls showing her reelection in jeopardy, Congresswoman Lowey spent more directly on her 2014 campaign, $1.8 million, than in any of her previous reelection bids.[13][14] This dwarfed the $187,000 spent by the Day campaign, and resulted in a cost of $18.79 per vote received for Lowey to $2.47 per vote for Day.[15]
Personal life
Chris has a five-year-old son from his previous marriage named Christopher Jr., and currently lives in Palisades, NY with his son and wife Jennifer.[3][16]