Joseph Ward has seen friends shot and killed in Vietnam. Memories of their deaths help reinforce his opposition to abortion. 'I think abortion is wrong, period,' says the U.S. Air Force veteran; 'but I think it is horrible that babies of 6 or 7 months are pulled apart. If people would just think about what they're doing, they'll realize it's wrong.'

Mr. Ward is taking his pro-life convictions into the political arena to challenge 7th District Congressman Elijah Cummings in the Democratic primary.

He holds strong views on other political issues as well. He opposes foreign aid in general: 'We should take that money and use it to help our own people.'

He favors sharply restricting immigration. 'Last year Congress allowed 65,000 people to come from overseas, when our own people don't have jobs!' he says.

And he believes there should be trade restrictions to protect American industries. 'I have not held political office before, but am active in the community,' says Ward; 'I depend on word-of-mouth publicity.'

As a member of Congress, he says, he would be very active. 'Everywhere I go, I see pain,' he says. 'Things are bad. We need new blood.'

Mr. Ward began his career as a weapons military specialist in the Air Force and continued it as a civilian in private industry. His work has taken him all over the United States, and to Turkey, Spain, Korea and the Philippines. He speaks four languages.

A member of St. William of York parish, Ward belongs to the Holy Name Society and Catholic War Veterans, and is a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. The former Eagle Scout is head of new membership for the Boy Scouts.

Joseph and his wife Carmen, who live in the Hunting Ridge section of Baltimore, have four grown children. One daughter teaches and the other works for an airline. Their two sons pursue careers as a doctor and as an engineer with Microsoft.