LYNCH, Patrick J.

LYNCH, Patrick J. (Dubuque, IA, January 24, 1959-- ). Patrick joined the Laborers Union in 1977 and the Plumbers & Steam Fitters union in 1978. From 1983 to present he has been a member of the Teamsters union and for 18 years was a UPS Steward. From 1998 to 2007, he was on the Local 421 Executive Board as Recording Secretary and Secretary-Treasurer. From 1999 to 2003 he was Chairman of the Dubuque County Democratic Party. From 2002 to 2007, Lynch was Political Director of Iowa Joint Council 45 and Joint Council 32. From 2005 to 2008, he was Chairman of Iowa “Change to Win”, an organization that aimed to provide a working and middleclass counterweight to the power of big money.

In 1959, the Teamsters recognized the need to develop comprehensive legislative and political programs within the union following the passage of the Landrum-Griffin bill and other anti-labor legislation. In November of that year, James R. Hoffa established the Department of Legislation and Political Education. Officially launched in 1960, D.R.I.V.E. -- Democratic, Republican, Independent Voter Education -- had two main objectives: To elect candidates to public office who are friendly to the interests of Teamster members; and passage or defeat of legislation of special concern to Teamster families. In 2006, Lynch was Central Region DRIVE Director. From 2007 to 2009 he was Teamsters National Political Director and beginning in 2009 he was Special Assistant to the General Secretary Treasurer.

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Source:

Dubuque County Democrats Hall of Fame, Judy Schmitt-compiler of information