SUGAR GROVE – Jim Oberweis is hosting several events with 1st Lt. Clint Lorance who was just recently pardoned by President Donald Trump after serving time in Fort Leavenworth military prison for alleged war crimes.
“The story of Clint Lorance is a compelling one,” Oberweis, a GOP candidate for US Congress, said. “What he had to endure is shameful. President Trump did the right thing pardoning him. I think everyone who comes out to the events we are hosting will enjoy having the opportunity to meet him.”
In March of 2012, Lorance deployed to Southern Afghanistan as the Squadron Liaison Officer to the Commander for the 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. In June 2012, he replaced an Infantry Platoon Leader that was medically evacuated due to shrapnel wounds to his eyes, face, and abdomen incurred from an IED blast. Three days after taking charge as the Platoon Leader, on July 2, 2012, Lorance directed the men of his platoon to open fire on three Afghan males speeding toward his platoon on a motorcycle.
Just a year later, Clint was convicted of two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Evidence surfaced showing a direct link between the motorcyclists to known terrorists. Eventually, President Trump agreed with the evidence and gave Clint a full pardon.
On January 14, 2020, area residents will have four opportunities to meet Lt. Lorance – all of them fundraisers for the Oberweis for Congress campaign:
I’d be more impressed if Jim dropped out and was hosting a fund raiser for Catalina Lauf and helping her shore up her campaign. If our elder statesmen like Oberweis would give a hand up to conservative, charismatic, attractive candidates like Catalina the GOP would be bale to make greater progress among minorities, women, and the youth vote. This are key groups for not only the 14th but for the future of the GOP.
I really like Jim, but it is time to pass the torch and mentor a candidate with innate curb appeal.