Sean Parnell

Richard Sean Parnell is a former United States Army Captain and author currently serving as the assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs since February 2025. He was the Republican nominee for in 2020.

Early life and education Richard Sean Parnell was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After serving in the U.S. Army from 2004 to 2010, he pursued undergraduate studies at Clarion University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Duquesne University, as well as graduate education at Duquesne University. The company was based near the Pakistani border in Barmal District of Paktika Province on an extended 16-month deployment. After the deployment, Parnell was awarded two Bronze Star Medals and a Purple Heart. Parnell left active duty as a lieutenant and was discharged as a captain from the Individual Ready Reserve. He authored the book Outlaw Platoon with John R. Bruning based on his experiences.

Political career Parnell ran for in 2020, narrowly losing to Democratic incumbent Conor Lamb.

The following year, Parnell announced he would run in the 2022 Republican primary for Pennsylvania's open senate seat. He was endorsed by Donald Trump. Parnell suspended his candidacy in November 2021, amid allegations, by his estranged wife, that he had abused her and her children

In February 2025, President Trump announced via Truth Social that Parnell would serve as the chief Pentagon spokesman under his administration. In addition to his primary role as assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs, Parnell also serves as a senior advisor to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. In April 2026, New York Post and The Hill reported that Parnell has privately expressed interest in the position of Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll, amid rumors of tension between Driscoll and Hegseth.

Electoral history