Pope John Paul II and Solidarity Party leader Lech Walesa, on January 15, 1981.
Former President of Poland and human rights activist Lech Walesa will campaign in Illinois with Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Andrzejewski.
The American Spectator reported:
It’s not every day that a Nobel Prize winner becomes involved in a U.S. election, but Lech Walesa — famed for his Cold War leadership of the Solidarity movement in Poland — will be campaigning this week for a GOP gubernatorial candidate in Illinois.
The former Polish president will be the keynote speaker Friday at a Chicago luncheon fundraiser for Adam Andrzejewski, one of five Republican candidates for governor in Illinois.
“I applaud Mr. Andrzejewski’s commendable effort to bring real reform to politics,” Walesa wrote in a letter endorsing the 40-year-old businessman. “His insistence on transparency in public life are badly needed not only in the great state of Illinois, but in any democracy.”
Andrzejewski is seeking the seat previously held by impeached Democrat Rod Blagojevich and currently held by Pat Quinn. He is backed by many Tea Party activists and has never previously held elective office — a point in his favor, according to Walesa.
Here is the endorsement letter by Lech Walesa for candidate Andrew Andrzejewski:
To the People of the Great State of Illinois:
It is with great pleasure that I wholeheartedly endorse Adam Andrzejewski for the office of Governor of the State of Illinois. In writing these words I feel particularly touched because, sadly, it is so seldom in the United States that a Polish son becomes involved in politics. But I do not endorse Adam only because of his Polish roots.
I applaud Mr. Andrzejewski’s commendable effort to bring real reform to politics. His insistence on transparency in public life are badly needed not only in the great state of Illinois, but in any democracy. I have heard that Adam’s opponents criticize his lack of political experience. I still remember when some 30 years ago, my opponents were similarly critical of my lack of political background. History has shown, however, that in order to create real change, new factors are sometimes necessary. Adam Andrzejewski can be that factor for the State of Illinois.
I do hope, that what Adam Andrzejewski can bring change when elected for the office of Governor of the State of Illinois.
Lech Wałęsa
Former President of the Republic of Poland
Now that’s an impressive endorsement!
