BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. () — Alex Pelbath was the last pilot flying out of Afghanistan and now is running for U.S. Congress in South Carolina’s 1st District.

“I have witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of career politicians, weak leadership,” Pelbath said. “And so, what I realize after retiring for two years is that now the fight is not over. But that leadership problem is still happening.”

The 22-year Air Force pilot and conservative Republican said he believes in what President Trump is doing in all facets, and believes his values and beliefs are what the Palmetto State needs in the future.

“We’re very fortunate we have President Trump now,” Pelbath said. “We finally have an outstanding leader in the White House. And I do believe he’s done more in the last six months than any president in history. But we see it every day that this fight is not over. And what I realize about myself is that I just wasn’t made to sit on the sidelines. And I don’t believe we need politicians in Washington anymore. What we need is leaders.”

“Military members in Congress very specifically have a reputation for getting things done,” Pelbath said. “And right now, we have the lowest representative of veterans in the military that we’ve ever had and compare today to post-World War II when our country was like those who served. And so I think what our voters need is more veterans, more leaders up there. We have proven that we are the type of leaders who get things done in Washington.”

Pelbath is supportive of closed borders and a strong immigration policy.

“President Trump’s border policy, he’s been amazing. He’s done a phenomenal job of closing the border,” Pelbath said. “Border crossings are an all-time low. But what we have learned already here just in the last year is that there’s an impact. There are still too many criminal illegals in this country, and every state, including ours, is now a border state.”

Pelbath said, “So, continue to enforce those policies and teaming with Trump to make sure that that we see that through the closing of border policies. Legal Immigration. Nobody has a problem with every illegal immigrant here. And the argument for the economic impact sort of supposes that we’re okay paying under the table less than minimum wages to illegal aliens. And we’re not. Every illegal alien that we need to remove from this country is more jobs for Americans, more jobs for legal immigrants.”

Pelbath continued, supporting Trump’s economic policies as well.

“President Trump prevented the largest tax hike in history and in passing the Big, Beautiful Bill returned thousands of dollars to hardworking families,” Pelbath said. “Those of us here in the Lowcountry, those economic policies matter tremendously and so continue to fight that battle. It’s been six months to try to undo four years of terrible policy. We have to give it time and continue fighting to make sure those economic policies are seen through so that those of us in our country can reap the benefits.”

Pelbath blames the Charlie Kirk killing and many of the recent attacks on Americans on one group.

“The political rhetoric is very clearly coming from an extremist faction on the left,” Pelbath said. “The violence that we’re seeing is due very specifically to ridiculous comparisons. It’s a terroristic mindset and I believe that this that those of us on the right and the Democrats who understand that that rhetoric is dangerous need to be united.”

Pelbath does believe his leadership skills in the military translate perfectly to Washington.

“One of the great definitions is doing the right thing regardless of the consequences,” Pelbath said. “What voters need to know is that they’re voting for somebody who believes in America, first and foremost, who will unapologetically stand up for my beliefs. You will know exactly how I feel and how I’m voting on issues all the time. And you will get somebody of character. And it’s okay for us to disagree. That is going to happen. We should have that in our country. We should have positive, good civil discourse, what we shouldn’t have is extremism.”

Pelbath is in a crowded field of candidates for the seat being vacated by Nancy Mace.

Jack Ellison, Sam McCown and Mark Smith join Pelbath on the Republican primary ticket.

Robert Beers, Mac Deford, Mayra River-Vasquez and Max Diaz are all running on the Democratic side.