Kieran Michael Lalor (born January 23, 1976) is an American politician, entrepreneur and author who founded Iraq Vets for Congress (a political action committee). He works in the defense industry, and is a former social studies teacher, and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War. Lalor is a member of the New York State Assembly, representing the 105th district. Lalor was the Republican candidate in New York's 19th congressional district election of 2008 but lost to incumbent John Hall. Lalor is a resident of Fishkill, New York. In November 2010 Lalor published a book about Marine Corps boot camp called, This Recruit: A First Hand Account of Marine Corps Boot Camp Written While Knee Deep in Mayhem. Early career and background Lalor graduated from Providence College. He then worked as a Social Studies teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in nearby Poughkeepsie. Lalor enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in July 2000 and thereafter served as a U.S. Marine Corps reservist. At basic training, he was the second oldest recruit in his platoon. He later enrolled at Pace University School of Law, but left school when his reserve infantry unit was called to active service after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, with Lalor training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as part of a "ready reaction force." Lalor's unit was demobilized in December 2002 but was activated again in March 2003 and deployed to Iraq. While in Iraq, Lalor's unit participated in security and humanitarian operations in the city of Nasiriyah, located along the Euphrates River in southern Iraq. Upon his return from Iraq, Lalor returned to the Pace University School of Law and graduated in 2007. His six-year military obligation ended in 2006, and Lalor achieved the rank of Corporal. Iraq Vets for Congress (IVC) Lalor founded Iraq Vets for Congress, a group of Republican congressional candidates who served in Iraq. On behalf of the group, Lalor addressed the National Press Club in April 2008 2008 congressional campaign Lalor declared his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2007 and was the first candidate to file paperwork as a candidacy for the 2008 race. Lalor won a District-wide Republican convention held in Mahopac, New York on May 22, 2008, prevailing over former Congressman Joseph DioGuardi and County legislator George Oros. Lalor won 347 votes, Oros received