Palin backs three House challengers

Sarah Palin announced Monday she’s backing a trio of Iraq War veterans who are running for Congress. In a note on her Facebook page, the former Alaska governor and GOP vice presidential candidate threw her support behind Republican candidates Adam Kinzinger, Vaughn Ward and Allen West.

“America, if you love your freedom, thank a vet! And if you’re looking for leaders who believe in integrity, service, and country first, look to our veterans,” Palin wrote.

Kinzinger, who is challenging freshman Rep. Debbie Halvorson (D-Ill.), is one of only two candidates so far this cycle to receive get the official endorsement of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Ward, a former McCain campaign official, is looking to knock off freshman Rep. Walt Minnick (D-Idaho), whose district voted 62 percent for the McCain-Palin ticket in 2008.

West is running for a second time against two-term Rep. Ron Klein (D-Fla.). The retired Army lieutenant colonel lost last cycle by 10 percentage points to Klein, but has emerged this year as a favorite candidate of the conservative grassroots.