Paris train hero running for Douglas County commissioner

ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) – One of the men who thwarted a terrorist attack on a Paris-bound train is running for a county commissioner seat in western Oregon.

The News-Review reports 25-year-old Alek Skarlatos announced his candidacy Tuesday for Douglas County commissioner.

The former Oregon National Guardsman from Roseburg and two friends – Anthony Sadler and Spencer Stone – were traveling in August 2015 when they incapacitated a heavily armed gunman.

The three re-enacted the encounter in the movie “The 15:17 to Paris,” which was directed by Clint Eastwood and released earlier this year.

Skarlatos says he aims to bring more jobs to the county if elected.

Skarlatos is pursing the seat vacated by Republican Gary Leif, who recently left the position to become a state House representative.

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Information from: The News-Review, http://www.nrtoday.com