Luke Murphy tells tale of losing leg in Iraq in first CD 2 TV ad

An IED in Iraq took Luke Murphy’s leg, but it couldn’t stop him from feeling a call to serve.

That’s the personal story Murphy shares in his first television ad as he runs to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn in Congress.

In the ad, titled “Not Done,” Murphy narrates the tale of his tour in Iraq that left him wounded in action.

“In 2006, an IED in Sadr City, Baghdad, took my right leg. Forty-one surgeries later, and I’m still standing, because giving up wasn’t in me,” Murphy says.

“I served two tours in Iraq to protect this country. Now I’m running for Congress to protect her again, by securing the border, enacting term limits, lowering costs for Florida families and taking care of our veterans. I gave my leg for this country, and I’m not done serving yet.”

The Purple Heart recipient, who launched his campaign in February, served in the National Guard from age 17 and was inspired after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001 to enlist in the Army and volunteer for infantry. He later was deployed to Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division, doing tours during the invasion in 2003 and returning as part of a nine-man reconnaissance team in 2005 and 2006.

He has previously detailed his experience in the memoir “Blasted By Adversity: The Making of a Wounded Warrior.”

In a statement announcing the ad, Murphy said his background in the military sets him apart from career politicians.

“Folks are fed up with business-as-usual in Washington. They are tired of the slimy bureaucrats, self-interested lawyers, and phony politicians,” he said. “They are looking for something different — a patriot. I gave my right leg for this country and I’d have given the left one too if asked. Now I’m ready to deploy to D.C. and put Florida families first.”

The ad is appearing throughout Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. Murphy is one of eight Republicans running for the seat.