The national media has picked up the story of Rhode Island’s own James Haldeman, who is running for State Representative in the 35th district (South Kingstown).
Haldeman, a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps, volunteered for duty in Iraq last year. As a result of his success in building civil-military relationships between Iraqis and Americans, Haldeman is now the only candidate for state legislature in the United States to receive an endorsement from the Mayor of Fallujah, Iraq…

The endorsement from Mayor Dhari Abdul Hadi al-Irssan describes Haldeman, 50, as Fallujah’s “favorite USA colonel.” Haldeman’s translator in Iraq forwarded the endorsement to him by e-mail, said Chuck Newton, spokesman for the Rhode Island GOP.
According to Newton, Al-Irssan said he would support Haldeman for president if he chose to run.
“As flattered as I am, I think that to serve in (House) District 35 will be plenty for me right now,” Haldeman said.