Star Trek Actor Running For Congress As Mark Twain

A former general in the Klingon Defense Forces of the Klingon Empire is attempting to make the transition to national politics on Earth.

Former Star Trek: Deep Space Nine actor John G. Hertzler will run against Rep. Tom Reed for New York's 23rd Congressional District Seat.

Hertzler left Southern California and moved to New York over a decade ago. He was a visiting drama teacher at Cornell University and has appeared in several local plays,

Hertzler was elected to the Ulysses Town Board in 2013 after running on the Democratic party ticket as an opponent of hydrofracking. His term began on Jan. 1, 2014 and he was reelected in 2015 to another term, which will last until 2020.

Hertzler has been politically vocal in his opposition to hydrofracking and local natural gas storage, as well as in national politics.

"I disagree with everything Reed supports, including his unrelenting support of the Trumpster," Hertzler said following his campaign announced, according to 14850.com.

Not only will Hertzler run for office, but he'll run in the character. However, it won't be in the character of General Martok, his Star Trek character, but in the character of famed American author Mark Twain and present his ideas via satire.

"To my knowledge, it's never been done before," Hertzler said of his plan. "I look forward to the challenge."

As Martok, Hertzler once spoke to line "I am not a politician. But sometimes, cruel tricks on us." This was as Martok was ascending to become the new Chancellor of the Klingon Empire. The line seems somewhat prescient today.

Hertzler played General Martok in 24 episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine spanning the show's fourth through seventh seasons. Martok became a hero during the Klingon Civil War but was later captured by the Dominion and replaced with a Changeling.

When Martok returned, he fought for the Klingon Empire during the Dominion War. His popularity reached new highs, which bade Gowron, the Klingon Chancellor whom Martok fought for in the Klingon Civil War, wary. Gowron betrayed Martok by sending him on a number of doomed and possibly suicidal missions, but Martok refused to act against the Chancellor.

Eventually, Worf stepping on behalf of Martok, who had become a close ally and friend. Worf challenged Gowron to combat and killed the Chancellor. By rights, Worf was then the new Chancellor, but he had no interest in ruling the Klingon Empire. Instead, he handed the position over to Martok, who reluctantly accepted.

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