Joe Kent is an American politician and retired U.S. Army Special Forces warrant officer (Green Beret) who served over 20 years in the military, including multiple combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other regions, earning commendations such as the Bronze Star. In 2019, his first wife, Shannon Kent, a CIA officer, was killed in Syria during counterterrorism operations, an event that significantly influenced his political motivations. Kent entered politics as a Republican, running for Washington's 3rd congressional district in 2022 with an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. He won the Republican primary but lost the general election to Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. Aligned with Trumpism and America First policies, he advocates for isolationism, opposition to U.S. aid for Ukraine, criticism of establishment Republicans, and far-right causes. He launched another campaign for the same seat in 2024, emphasizing veteran issues, border security, and reducing foreign entanglements.