NY oral surgeon runs for U.S. Senate

Scott Noren, DDS, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon from Ithaca, NY, has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate.

A Democratic candidate, Dr. Noren is challenging Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand for the six-year term in 2012.

The primary focus of his campaign is the economy, healthcare issues, and party reform.

Dr. Noren's suggestions for solving the country's fiscal problems include the following:

• Immediate and long-lasting cut in the military budget of $100 billion per year
• Amending the Bush income tax cuts for $500,000 and under only to increase tax revenue
• No changes to Medicare; Social Security; the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program; or other safety net and social programs

Dr. Noren has been a healthcare provider for nearly two decades and served the U.S. Army for six years until 2003. He is married and has four children, three of whom reside at home, including one with special needs.