Lorenzo Valenzuela

PHOENIX -- Issues affecting veterans and soldiers were front-and-center in the race for the 3rd Congressional District seat Wednesday, as challenger Bob Lord attacked the record of U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix) and the incumbent shot right back, questioning the truth and taste of Lord's first television commercial.

At a downtown Phoenix American Legion hall, three area veterans spoke to press on Shadegg's behalf, hailing his record on veterans affairs and decrying the Lord campaign's televison ad on the issue.

"We're here today because we're outraged that someone would... claim [Shadegg] has betrayed the troops," said Lt. Col. Lorenzo Valenzuela (ret.), who commanded an Army Corps of Engineers company in Iraq. "Personally I can't think of anything more offensive than that." He said referring to Shadegg as a "betrayer" was "preposterous" and "outrageous.