Ted Ankrum

George “Ted” Ankrum (born 1942), is a retired U.S. Navy Officer and was the Democratic candidate for the 2006 election in the Texas 10th U.S. Congressional District. He faced incumbent Republican Michael McCaul and 2004 Presidential candidate Libertarian Michael Badnarik.

In his military career Ankrum served four tours of duty in Vietnam as a Seabee, where he earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Navy Commendation Medal. His first three tours were with US combat forces near the DMZ, including support to Vietnamese and US Special Forces operating in and near Laos, and his fourth tour was as an advisor to the South Vietnamese military in the Mekong Delta. His Vietnamese decorations include the Cross of Gallantry and Medal of Honor. He is rated by the Veterans Administration as 30% disabled.

His extensive experience includes:

- Diplomat, United States Embassy, Canberra, Australia, 1992-1997
- Assistant to Administrator, NASA Head Quarters, 1990-1992
- Captain, United States Navy/ United States Naval Reserve, 1961-1991
- Departmental Deputy Assistant Associate Administrator, Facilities Engineering and Environmental Compliance, NASA HQ, 1987-1990
- Acting Deputy Director, Superfund Program, US Environmental Protection Agency, 1990
- Chief of Quality Assurance, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 1982-1987
- President, Aeroturbine Energy Corporation, developing a large wind turbine project in Northern California in conjunction with the Boeing Corporation, 1982 (See Wall Street Journal Nov 11, 1982)
- Chief of Conservation & Renewable Energy Commercialization Programs, US Dept of Energy HQ, 80-81
- Entered Federal Senior Executive Service, 1980
- Chief of Program Evaluation, United States Department of Energy Head Quarters, 1979-1980
- Chief of Uranium Enrichment Commercial Operations, United States Department of Energy, 1977-1979
- Reactor Engineer, United States Atomic Energy Commission, 1973-1975
- United States Navy/ United States Naval Reserve, 1961-1991; including service as one of Admiral Rickover's nuclear people

He also earned a BSEE and MBA (Finance). He is married with four grown children.

In the 2006 election, Ankrum was defeated by McCall, but he received 42% of the vote in a race that did not have a Democratic candidate in 2004, while Badnarik received 3% of the vote. The District was gerrymandered by Tom Delay in 2004 to be 65% Republican.

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