Obama names former Emerson challenger Sowers to VA post

WASHINGTON (AP) -- An Iraq War veteran who lost a U.S. House bid from southeast Missouri in 2010 could now be heading to Washington.

President Barack Obama has nominated Democrat Tommy Sowers as assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The nomination requires Senate approval.

The 36-year-old former Green Beret was the Democratic nominee in Missouri's 8th Congressional District two years ago. He drew just 29 percent of the vote in losing to Republican incumbent Jo Ann Emerson despite a well-funded campaign that drew national attention.

Sowers has worked since then as a senior adviser for the group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and as an associate with McKinsey & Company in San Francisco. He also completed his doctorate degree using the G.I. Bill.