President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former Nevada Senate candidate Sam Brown to be his undersecretary for memorial affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Brown was the Republican nominee in the Nevada Senate election in 2024, losing to incumbent Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) 47.9% to 46.2%. He trailed Trump in support by over 4 points as the president-elect won the state over Vice President Kamala Harris, 50.6% to her 47.5%.
“Sam is an American HERO, a Purple Heart recipient, and successful businessman from Nevada, who has devoted his life to serving America,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “He fearlessly proved his love for our Country in the Army, while leading Troops in battle in Afghanistan and, after being honorably retired as a Captain, helping our Veterans get access to emergency medications.”
“Sam will now continue his service to our Great Nation at the VA, where he will work tirelessly to ensure we put America’s Veterans FIRST, and remember ALL who served,” he added.
Brown was a captain in the Army and suffered burn wounds across 30% of his body in an explosion that in 2008 scarred his face. He attempted to run for a Nevada U.S. Senate seat in 2022 but failed in the primary before breaking through in 2024.
Trump endorsed Brown in his latest pursuit, even mentioning him during his Republican National Convention speech. “[Brown] paid the biggest price probably ever paid by anybody that is running for office, and I think he is going to do great,” Trump said. “He’s running against a person that is not good, not respected. A total lightweight.”
Brown also had his time in the spotlight at the RNC. “This is the high cost of war,” Brown said of his face. “If Joe Biden stays in office, more service members will pay this price.”
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In his new position, Brown will oversee the “maintenance and operation of 155 VA national cemeteries in providing dignified burial services for military Veterans and eligible family members,” according to the VA’s website job description for current acting Undersecretary for Memorial Affairs Ronald Walters.
His other responsibilities will include “overseeing design and construction activities related to the establishment of new VA national cemeteries; managing memorial programs including the provision of headstones, markers, medallions and Presidential Memorial Certificates; and administering federal grants to states and territories including tribal trust lands, Guam, and Saipan.”
