Will County Gazette

Former Marine and veterans' advocate Kenny DeAndrea has announced his run for the 40th Senate District seat.

“My parents' friend; my friend, Illinois Republicans let’s go,” Amber Comoglio posted on Facebook after DeAndrea's announcement.

The founder of Patriot Project USA, DeAndrea recently partnered with the South Suburban Council, an authority on veteran suicides. DeAndrea started Project Patriot after surviving a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"Living a life centered in violence contributed to Kenny being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),” SSCouncil.org posted on its website. “Through counseling and education, he has learned how to manage the symptoms of this potentially life ending mental injury.”

DeAndrea is now widely saluted for all the work he does in the area.

"Kenny served in the Marines and after a failed attempt at committing suicide, he formed Patriot Project to address the fact that over 22 veterans commit suicide every single day,” The Non Commissioned Officers Association posted on its website. He will address why it's important for those who have served to take this issue seriously and what we can do to make a difference on this national issue.”

DeAndrea said he feels compelled to make himself a candidate given what he sees as the state’s faltering condition.

“Unfortunately the condition of the state has put us in a pending doom situation,” he posted on Facebook. “The PATRIOT PROJECT USA as a veteran’s organization has tried to remain neutral in the political arena; we no longer see that as an option. We all need to stop talking about the destruction of our state by an incapable governor and take back the state of Illinois.”

As part of the movement, DeAndrea said he is backing Republican Gary Rabine for governor.

“The problems of this state will not fix themselves, so it is at this time, in an effort to save our state, we endorse for Governor, Gary Rabine, the only candidate qualified to repair the damage done to our state.”

The 40th Senate District includes Kankakee, Bourbonnais and Wilton Center.