(CNN) – An Arkansas congressional candidate who served in the Army for 29 years says voters know him simply as "Colonel." So when he wasn't able to run using his military title on the ballot, he decided to legally change his name.
Conrad Reynolds is now Colonel Conrad Reynolds, and his name will be listed that way on the ballot for the 2nd Congressional District GOP primary in May.
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Reynolds' military title wasn't permitted on the ballot because Arkansas state law doesn't allow professional or honorary titles to be used as nicknames.
Reynolds retired from the Army in 2009 after serving "everywhere," including Iraq and Afghanistan, as a military intelligence officer. Reynolds is running on a platform that advocates gun ownership rights, limited government, lowering taxes and anti-abortion policies. And he says he'd never turn his back on a veteran.
Following a failed bid for the state Senate in 2010, Reynolds is now one of three Republicans running for the U.S. House seat, and the candidate told CNN this isn't his first name change.
Reynolds started going by "Conrad" when he was a child because his given name, Conald, was always shortened to "Connie," a nickname he says was typically given to women.
Reynolds chose the name Conrad after one of his favorite actors, Robert Conrad, who's known for his role in the television series, "The Wild Wild West."