
A retired vice admiral and former deputy commander for military operations at U.S. Africa Command plans to run as a Democrat against Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) member Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) in 2020, his campaign announced Aug. 26. Ret. Vice Adm. Michael Franken, a 36-year Navy veteran who retired in 2017, served as special assistant to the director of the Navy Staff, the Joint Staff J5 (Strategic Plans and Policy) interim chief of staff during his time in service.…