Paul Schimpf, a retired Marine Corps officer and the Republican candidate for the 58th District state Senate seat, said Springfield needs a lieutenant colonel instead of a former lieutenant governor -- referring to his opponent, Democrat Sheila Simon -- and that he is the one who can lead with confidence and independence.
“With our current political dysfunction, it is time to send senators to Springfield who possess demonstrated leadership results, rather than political connections and pedigree,” Schimpf recently told SW Illinois News.
After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, Schimpf said he began his Marine Corps career as an infantry officer. Following his graduation from Southern Illinois University School of Law, he entered the Judge Advocate General service, where he ran a legal assistance clinic and later served as the head prosecutor for the Recruit Depot and the Marine Corps Western Recruiting Region.
Paul Schimpf
| Contributed photo
Schimpf also was deployed to Iraq, where he served as the lead American attorney adviser to the Iraqi prosecutors in the trial of Saddam Hussein. Under his guidance, the Iraqi prosecutors were able to induce a remarkable courtroom confession, in which Hussein admitted his guilt to the massacre of Iraqi civilians. Schimpf then completed his service as the staff judge advocate for Marine Corps Installations Command, advising a two-star general on diverse legal issues.
One of Schimpf’s proudest accomplishments came when he wrote an article for the Military Law Review on the need to establish an evidentiary privilege between a victim and victim advocate within the Department of Defense. It was cited in multiple treatises on military law and was instrumental in making this necessary change to the Military Rules of Evidence.
“I have a track record of working with others to solve problems and develop solutions,” Schimpf said. “Our political class is incapable of solving the problems they have created. If the voters trust me to be their next state senator, I will bring new perspectives, my military discipline and my leadership abilities with me to Springfield.”
Schimpf said that despite his party affiliation, he is running to support the people.
“Springfield needs leaders who will exercise their own sound discretion,” Schimpf said. “If the voters of the 58th state Senate district trust me to be their state senator, I will put their interests over those of any special interests and even the Republican Party. I have already established a track record of independence since returning to Illinois from my service in the United States Marine Corps.”
During his past attorney general campaign, Schimpf said he took a strong, unequivocal stand -- in opposition to many state leaders -- against the 2014 pension fix, which he believed was unconstitutional.
“I was later vindicated when the Illinois Supreme Court subsequently found the pension fix unconstitutional in a 7-0 ruling,” Schimpf said. “In contrast, former Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon acted as a rubber stamp for the failed policies of (former) Gov. Pat Quinn regarding the pension fix, retiree health care and even facility closures, including the Illinois Youth Center in Murphysboro. She was even the point person for selling the disastrous 2011 tax hike.”
Schimpf argues that there needs to be significant changes in Illinois government and that he is the candidate who can get things done.
“We all know that business-as-usual in Springfield isn’t helping Illinois' financial outlook,” Schimpf said. “We need more independent-minded leaders in Springfield who have the courage to put their constituents' needs first.”
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