Soldier's New Fight

Read his story: OCALA – He's a 33-year-old Democrat with no political experience, a Republican wife and a college sophomore running his campaign.

And on this Thursday afternoon, he's working the crowd – two dozen silver-haired seniors – inside the Spanish Oaks community center. His aunt, who lives in the neighborhood, organized the gathering and even brought cake.

Outside, barrel-chested retirees sun themselves while grandchildren splash in the pool. Inside, a burgeoning brand of political campaign is taking shape – the soldier turned candidate.

"My name is James Walker, and I'm the Democratic candidate for state House District 24," he tells the sparse audience. "This journey, for me, started almost five years ago."

He tells them about watching the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, on television and how he cried and prayed that day. He tells them about his decision to enlist in the Army and about the year he spent in Iraq with the 101st Airborne.

He tells them about the clear, starry night in the Iraqi desert when he made a decision that changed his life. That night, he says, "I made a promise to come back and make Marion County a better place.