It seems like perennial candidate Jim Oberweis will do just about anything to win an election. He’s personally loaned himself millions of dollars in past (failed) races and is doing so again this cycle. But now Oberweis is taking it one step further. In an attempt to stand out in a crowded primary, Oberweis spent the week holding campaign fundraisers headlined by former Army Lieutenant Clint Lorance who was sentenced to a 19-year term “for the murder of two civilians” in Afghanistan.
More from the Chicago Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet:
House GOP hopeful Jim Oberweis loaned his campaign $1 million, according to a Federal Election Commission report posted Wednesday, while former Army 1st Lt. Clint Lorance — pardoned by President Donald Trump for the murder of two civilians in Afghanistan — headlined a series of fundraisers this week for the state senator.
“Honored to campaign with @LoranceClint today – he’s so thankful for @realDonaldTrump’ pardon #jim2020 #IL14,” Oberweis said in Tuesday night tweet.
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Trump’s clemency grant in November for Lorance and two others accused of war crimes was controversial because it was opposed, according to news accounts, by some Pentagon officials.
As Sweet and the New York Times have noted, Lorance’s pardon by President Trump was “controversial” with “top military leaders push[ing] back hard against” the pardons.