Local hero, community activist and decorated Vietnam War veteran Allen Lynch recently endorsed Mike Amrozowicz, Republican candidate for the District 31 state Senate seat, boosting support for Amrozowicz's candidacy based partly on their mutual military backgrounds.
Lynch was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1970 for heroism in Vietnam and now presides over the Allen J. Lynch Medal of Honor Veterans Foundation, an all-volunteer organization dedicated to helping returning veterans and their immediate family members transition to civilian life.
“He’s a 20-year Navy chief, which goes high in my book,” Lynch said. Lynch also serves on the Lake County Veterans Assistance Commission. “He has signed that agreement which says, ‘I will be here 10 years and no longer.’ I’m getting real sick and tired of career politicians … they go down to Springfield, they camp there, they build an empire…and they don’t know what it’s like to actually meet the real people.”
| Contributed photo
Stressing the special quality of hands-on leadership required of Navy chiefs, Lynch said Amrozowicz deals regularly with folks from all walks of life.
“Having served your country … means that you’re involved in life-or-death situations literally every day, and I think that gives a special edge to a veteran,” Lynch said. “We understand what it’s like to lead (and) sacrifice, and … our current politicians don’t get that.”
Lynch said a new breed of politician is needed in the Assembly.
“The simple fact of the matter is that we have a totalitarian state in Springfield run by the Speaker of the House … That has to end, and the only way we can end that is by electing non-career politicians,” Lynch said.
Citing massive, faulty allocation of funds, Lynch said Amrozowicz’s stand against using taxes to fund special interest groups helped gain his endorsement, calling him “a very strong leader” and “a man who is not afraid to stand his ground.”
Lynch said Amrozowicz's stance on term limits means that once elected, he would not be afraid to stand up and be counted, even if his vote were unpopular. Lynch said Amrozowicz won’t “pander to a constituency” for the purpose of getting re-elected.
“I hope you join me in supporting Mike Amrozowicz for state senator,” Lynch said.
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