Kendall County Times

Congressional candidate and Illinois state Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) is set to host recently pardoned Army First Lt. Clint Lorance at a campaign fundraiser on Jan. 14 at the American Legion in Huntley.

Oberweis, who is challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) in the 14th District on a platform of cutting spending, addressing health care costs and securing the border, says Lorance’s story aligns perfectly with his America-first agenda.

“He’s an incredibly positive and patriotic young man who still talks about how much he loves America,” Oberweis told the Kendall County Times. “We just reached out and asked him to come, and now we’re delighted that he’ll be here.”

Army First Lt. Clint Lorance | Wikipedia

After serving six years at Leavenworth of a 19-year sentence for second-degree murder, the 34-year-old Lorance was recently pardoned by President Donald Trump. Lorance was convicted for his part in a 2012 incident in Afghanistan in which he ordered troops to open fire on three unarmed men riding motorcycles after his superior had been injured.

“We need to understand that sometimes it’s difficult to judge people when they are put in tough situations like he was with little time to react,” Oberweis said. “I was heartbroken to hear his story. I realized it could have been any one of my sons.”

The fundraiser kicks off at 5 p.m. and sponsorships are available ranging from $500 to $5,600.

Oberweis is part of a crowded Republican primary field that also includes state Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) and former Kendall County Republican Party chairman James Marter (R-Oswego).