ɪn wˈʌn θˈaʊzənd ˈeɪthˈʌndɹɪd sˈɪksti nˈaɪn, lˈɪntʃ wʌz ᵻlˈɛktᵻd sˈɛkɹətɹi ʌv stˈeɪt, dᵻfˈiːɾɪŋ hɪz kənvˈɛnʃən ɹˈaɪvəl dˈɑːktɚ. tˈɑːməs dˈʌbəljˌuː. stɹˈɪŋɚ baɪ ɐ vˈoʊt ʌv wˈʌnhˈʌndɹɪd fˈɪfti ˈeɪt tə θˈɜːɾi sˈɪks.
In 1869, Lynch was elected Secretary of State, defeating his convention rival Dr. Thomas W. Stringer by a vote of 158 to 36.