Navy doctor enters U.S. Senate primary race - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Navy doctor enters U.S. Senate primary race

MONTPELIER, Vt. — A physician is going to challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy in next year’s Democratic primary.

Daniel Freilich of Wilmington says he’s being driven to run because he thinks the current versions of health care reform being considered in Congress don’t go far enough.

Freilich, 45, separated from active duty as a Navy captain on Sept. 8, Navy records show. It is unclear whether he is in the Navy Reserve.

Freilich tells the Rutland Herald the only answer to health care is a single-payer system called “Medicare for all.”

Leahy has served in the U.S. Senate since 1975 and is one of the chamber’s most senior members.

Campaign Manager Carolyn Dwyer says the senator welcomes the challenge from Freilich.

Freilich has lived in Vermont since 1998.