SEIU State Council backs Giannoulias for SoS
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* This is important because the union has a multitude of Black and Brown members and deep campaign pockets. From an Alexi Giannoulias fundraising email…
We just received its biggest endorsement of the campaign so far!
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) State Council, representing more than 150,000 Illinois workers, announced their support for our campaign for Secretary of State.
The endorsement is important because it marks the earliest that the labor union has ever announced support for a candidate for statewide office in Illinois. In addition, SEIU Local 73 represents 2,600 workers, or more than half of all Secretary of State’s office employees.
“We’re proud to stand with Alexi who will champion the needs of working families and won’t back down when it comes to advocating for fair wages and benefits for all Illinoisans,” said SEIU Local 73 President Dian Palmer. “Our members understand the importance of continuing Jesse White’s legacy under Alexi’s leadership and that we cannot afford to sit this election out.”
“Alexi understands what critical issues are most important to the hard-working families across our state,” said SEIU Local 1 President Tom Balanoff. “His demonstrated support for worker rights and his clear understanding of the Secretary of State’s office make him the undisputed choice for Illinois’ working families. The janitors, security officers and thousands of others united in SEIU Local 1 look forward to working with him to achieve a more equitable and progressive future for our state.”
I’m honored by this historic endorsement. Middle-class families will have an ally in the Secretary of State’s office who will fight to empower workers and fight on their behalf!
The SEIU support adds to the other endorsements that we’ve worked hard to earn. Earlier this year, we received the endorsement of two locals of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union, Local 881 and Local 1546. In addition, 14 locals from International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) have endorsed our bid.
And earlier this month, the Southern Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association, representing 22 downstate counties, voted to endorse us.
Thoughts?
- BigLou - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 9:22 am:
So what’s he promising all these people, or is he paying them? Because “Alexi understands what critical issues are most important to the hard-working families across our state,” is surprising since his bank was a lender of last resort that charged higher rates than other lenders for people that had nowhere else to go.
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 9:22 am:
Is it safe to call him a front runner yet? Depends on polling, but it’s early yet.
I’m hoping that another candidate can start consolidating progressive support and define their campaign message soon…the defining message of the current candidates at the moment is “I really want this job.”
- Tinman - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 9:23 am:
This is a big deal for Alexi and gets him momentum. He already had statewide name recognition.
- well... - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 9:24 am:
It’s definitely a big deal if the endorsement comes with about $400 million so Alexi can reimburse the FDIC for its losses from having to bail out his shady bank.
- HonestAbeLives - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 9:27 am:
People want leadership. And in the absence of genuine leadership, they will listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone. They’re so thirsty for leadership, they’ll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there’s no water, they’ll drink the sand. Alexi Giannoulias is that sand.
- ;) - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 9:31 am:
Smells like a bought endorsement.
- Pizza Man - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 9:32 am:
No speeding radar enforced: Looks like the former Treasurer, whose CoS was party chair Rep. Robin Kelly, is looking up the nomination earlier than expected.
After being dormant after the U.S. senate loss to then-Sen. Mark Kirk, Alexi seeks to return to state government with this leap-to-higher office position.
I don’t think another bigger-name candidate will have time to jump in and lock up the endorsements at the pace Alexi is speeding at cruise control.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 9:38 am:
Alexi’s alleged criminal entity of a bank and alleged connections to underworld folks make this even better… Alexi moving closer to a nomination means a Republican (not Trumpkin or Raunerite) can defeat a self-absorbed who-driven candidate who’s oppo contains some serious character flaws, and a bank that didn’t just fail… but…
Between Frerichs and Alexi, real damage can be done to Dems with Republicans running as… Republicans.
The GOP nominees are yet to be seen, but it’s this type of endorsement that helps the cause.
And frankly… a man who has had a business seemingly oozing with corruption, you want *him* as the Secretary of State… in Illinois?
Here’s to the Dems making this mistake with Alexi.
It’s opens a door to Republicans emerging post Rauner and Trump.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 9:49 am:
Why endorse so soon? Why the rush? I’m very uncomfortable endorsing anyone so early in the cycle.
- 4 percent - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 9:53 am:
Me thinks that Hastings will be playing close attention to the 19th district. LOL.
- Pizza Man - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 9:53 am:
Slippery when wet: Can the other lesser-known SoS candidates; Valencia, Hastings, Burnett, Jr., Dowell, Moore, etc…stop Alexi before he reaches the finish line to have him do a U-Turn? Is the Broadway scandal old news?
Let’s hope the IL Gop has an effective, well-funded candidate.
- The Captain - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 9:55 am:
Every week Giannoulias seemingly makes major news and every week the commenters here twist themselves in knots to diminish it. It’s a predictable pattern.
If you guys are going to prove yourselves right you’re going to need someone with less money and less institutional support to step up in a major way, and probably quite soon.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 9:56 am:
===Is the Broadway scandal old news?===
Depends how much money is behind pushing it.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 10:00 am:
=== every week the commenters here twist themselves in knots to diminish it===
“Maybe” those who “know him” best know him as the worst(?)
We’ll see how this plays out… gotta get in a ballot, including Alexi… first, as well.
- SpiDem - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 10:10 am:
One one hand, its still the first inning of a long game.
On the other hand, Alexis seems to have opened up a 6 run lead, with the bases still loaded and no outs yet.
Others on the D side are going to have to get into the game quick or this is going to be a rout.
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 10:14 am:
“We’re proud to stand with Alexi who will champion the needs of working families…”
I mean, are we all talking about the same guy, or is there some other Alexi Giannoulias that I am unaware of?
- McGuppin - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 10:16 am:
Major, major win for Giannoulias. I think he’s the only one in this race working hard to put a campaign together… seems like everyone else is either going through the motions or feels a sense of entitlement.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 10:16 am:
=== or is there some other Alexi Giannoulias that I am unaware of?===
The “rebranding” has begun.
If you have to type that “now”, probably is a smoke screen to who he actually is.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 10:17 am:
=== feels a sense of entitlement.===
I don’t think you know Alexi.
Still, where are these other candidates?
- Arsenal - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 10:22 am:
==I mean, are we all talking about the same guy, or is there some other Alexi Giannoulias that I am unaware of? ==
It’s been 11 years since he was last on a ballot. For most voters, he might as well be an entirely new guy.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 10:23 am:
==Smells like a bought endorsement. ==
Or maybe just “Who else is out there?”. Hastings is the only other one with a real record of fighting for labor, and he hasn’t gotten out of first gear yet.
- HonestAbeLives - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 10:27 am:
==It’s been 11 years since he was last on a ballot. For most voters, he might as well be an entirely new guy.
Illinois remembers this overly ambitious, failed candidate with mob ties who seems to only get richer when he fails.
- west wing - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 10:37 am:
No one but the most insiders are paying any attention to this primary, but Alexi is winning the majority of the insider game. But I also think Valencia has the potential to respond with some insider names endorsing. She may have to move up her timetable.
- HonestAbeLives - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 10:56 am:
Reminder for Illinois democrats that the last time they enthusiastically anointed Alexi Giannoulias, Republican Mark Kirk became Illinois’ U.S. Senator in a general election that was dominated by Democrats. Those that do not heed the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 10:59 am:
“Illinois remembers this”
Gonna need some data to back that up.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 11:04 am:
Like or loathe him, he does appear to be out-hustling the competition.
- northside reformer - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 11:06 am:
Lots of Mean Girls-esque Alexi hate going on here.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 11:08 am:
=== Mean Girls-esque Alexi hate===
But you don’t deny how Alexi is seen.
Making Alexi a victim when you think about all things “banking” when it comes to Alexi… is hilariously out of touch.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 11:10 am:
===Illinois remembers this===
Alexi is counting on folks *not* remembering.
His first ridiculously silly video was more of a makeover than explaining the office (SoS) and why he was running.
- SAP - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 11:37 am:
Definitely running the best campaign right now, but that closet is chock-full of skeletons. Sooner or later, they are going to start spilling out.
- northside reformer - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 11:59 am:
–Alexi and Broadway–
Seems to me that smaller banks with some bad lending practices (Broadway and Shorebank) were allowed to fail and larger banks with similar practices were bailed out. This is all fair game in politics but let’s stop pretending that the way the banking crisis is portrayed is fair.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 12:01 pm:
=== let’s stop pretending===
(Sigh)
When others who were involved in those banks decide to run for Illinois Secretary of State, I’ll make note of your comment.
I mean, seriously… “you know, others were doing it to”… is a terrible, terrible counter-argument, but I appreciate you acknowledge it’s at least problematic and likely wrong… but good with you(?)
- Responsa - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 1:10 pm:
Alexi is receiving seious backing/clout from somebody somewhere. This is not all happening on his own skill and recognition. It IS happening despite his reputation. It would be nice to know who is behind the curtain.
- Annonin' - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 1:25 pm:
Pretty sure GOPies will offer up Demmer — he might survive a Trump test. ‘Lexi may be account for his whereabouts in more recent times…Broadway may be too old.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 1:27 pm:
===he might survive a Trump test.===
I’ll be very, very, very interested if Demmer can get to be the nominee.
Can’t see him getting a pass, however. The dynamic of that primary and who announces for it… did I say I’d be very interested?
- Pizza Man - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 2:10 pm:
Hey, who knows? Former GOP leader Bill Brady may throw his hat in the ring…as he ponders on a ’statewide’ run…just saying.
- northside reformer - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 5:34 pm:
–It would be nice to know who is behind the curtain.–
It might just be that Alexi has a pile of cash, has access to piles more, is rich, and the other candidates just can’t compete with that. Not sure if being rich and knowing rich people is a conspiracy…Alexi is what politics is today.
- SubRosa - Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 6:05 pm:
The GOP should thank Alexi. He endorses their candidates, he loses to their candidates, and his checkered past is an oppo dream. For me, he is somewhere between a yawn and a gag.