Davids to Bring Veteran Small Business Owner to State of the Union Address

Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced that she will be joined by Brian Newton, a veteran and small business owner from Kansas City, KS, at the State of the Union address. After returning home from service, Newton faced multiple challenges in reacclimating to society and starting a business. Since then, he has found success in Morty’s, a food cart and catering business specializing in Italian beef sandwiches and Vienna Beef Chicago-style hot dogs.

“I’m excited to have Brian join me at the State of the Union. As the daughter of a veteran, I have always said that because of their sense of service and dedication, there are few people better situated to become entrepreneurs than our nation’s veterans. That’s certainly true for Brian,” said Davids. “After all that our service members and veterans have done for us, we must have their backs. I’m working in Congress to ensure Kansas veterans like Brian have nothing less than the quality health care, services, and access to jobs that they’ve earned.”

“After completing my service and returning home, I struggled for many years to readapt to civilian life, particularly when starting a business,” said Brian Newton, local veteran and owner of Morty’s. “As veteran entrepreneurs play a crucial role in contributing to local economies across the country, we need our leaders to have our backs. I know Rep. Davids has mine and I’m excited to attend the State of the Union address with her.”

Newton served in the military for 10 years, seven of which were overseas. After returning home, he struggled to integrate back into society and start a business, which he credits to a lack of support and knowledge of how our country’s systems work. He then opened Morty’s, a traveling Italian beef food cart. Due to high demand and after years of searching for space, Newton recently signed a long term lease for a brick-and-mortar location in Kansas City, KS, where he will soon open a restaurant for walk-up and delivery service.

Davids previously visited Morty’s after her bipartisan bill to support veteran entrepreneurs passed the U.S. House. Davids and Newton discussed the challenges Newton faced when starting a business and the successes he has since achieved.

The President’s State of the Union address will take place on March 7, 2024, at the U.S. Capitol.