Ilario Pantano is a respected combat veteran, and bestselling author who has worked in both global markets and small business. The “born again Southerner” is a 38 year-old conservative committed to promoting job creation and revitalizing the economy, protecting the homeland and preserving our conservative values.
Pantano launched his congressional campaign with the ‘100 Days of Work’ initiative highlighting southeastern North Carolina’s number one issue: jobs and the economy. In ongoing discussions with employers and employees, Pantano turns to the free market of ideas to refine the solutions needed to revive the lagging economy. “As someone who has agonized over payroll and scrambled to get customers, I can relate to the struggles and the triumphs in today’s job market and the paralyzing effects of excessive taxation, regulation and litigation.”
Pantano, whose young children attend public school, also makes the case for top-tier educational programs that can simultaneously attract and educate a work force of innovators.
Pantano’s ‘100 Days of Work’ connects him to the people of the 7th district whose representation has been monopolized by a single party for over 140 years. “From my experience in small and large companies, I recognize that the best ideas often come from the bottom up and not the top down, particularly when the top, in this case Washington, has lost touch with the people.”
Ilario Pantano enlisted in the Marine Infantry at 17 and fought in the Gulf War. After witnessing the attacks of 9/11, Pantano returned to the Marines and fought in Falluja as an Infantry officer. In between He experienced the high corporate culture at Goldman Sachs, but was deeply dissatisfied and chose instead to become an entrepreneur. He then authored a best selling book about his experiences in Iraq and has remained involved in advocating national security issues. He also produced a film documentary about modern-day warriors to raise money for wounded veterans. He is currently the GOP nominee for the US Congress in North Carolina’s 7th District.