Democrat Alexi Giannoulias has won the support of progressive grassroots political network that grew out of the presidential campaign of U.S. Sen Bernie Sanders.
Our Illinois Revolution, which has over 40,000 voting progressive members throughout the State, endorsed Giannoulias for Secretary of State in 2022. Our Illinois Revolution has successfully leveraged its reform-minded influence in recent local elections including, assisting U.S. Representative Jesús “Chuy” García, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and Fritz Kaegi who defeated longtime Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios.
Our Illinois Revolution Chair Emeritus Clem Balanoff, who served as an anti-machine Illinois State Representative and Cook County Elections Director for Cook County, the third largest voting jurisdiction in the nation, praised Giannoulias, his progressive policy initiatives and the ethics agenda he would implement as Secretary of State. As they have for other candidates, Our Illinois Revolution will mobilize voters on Giannoulias’ behalf in advance of the June 2022 primary election.
“Alexi is the true progressive in this race and has been a proven leader in the progressive movement for a long time,” said Balanoff, noting that Giannoulias served as Illinois State Treasurer from 2007 to 2011. “We’ve seen so many Secretaries of State across the country seeking to disenfranchise voters with restrictive voting suppression laws making it more difficult to register and vote. Illinoisians can rest assured that Alexi will protect voter rights and work to improve ballot access and enhance registration opportunities.”
In the last few months, Giannoulias has received the support of a number of labor organizations and the progressive 22nd Ward Independent Political Organization (IPO). Our Illinois Revolution is the first statewide grassroots organization to make an endorsement.
“We’re proud to endorse Alexi who will fight for accountable, transparent government and for progressive priorities of working Illinois families,” said Richard Rodriguez, National Treasurer of Our Revolution. “Alexi will put people first and will serve as a fearless fighter willing to stand up to powerful interests and while working to solve the biggest challenges that confront our state.”
“Alexi is an innovative problem solver who is building a broad-based coalition and is committed to the progressive principles that serve as our core values,” said Suzanna Ibarra, co-chair of Our Illinois Revolution. He will make an excellent Secretary of State and represents a new generation of progressive leaders who stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us as an ally to promote justice, equity and economic opportunity for those that need it most.”
“Having always supported progressive ideals, I’m so proud to have earned the endorsement of Our Illinois Revolution, which is a huge boost to our campaign,” Giannoulias said. “Our Illinois Revolution is leading the fight to ensure working families benefit and thrive in our growing economy. They can count on my commitment to always protect civil rights and fight for racial and social justice as a constitutional officer.”
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 5:32 pm:
=== Democrat Alexi Giannoulias has won the support of progressive grassroots political network that grew out of the presidential campaign of U.S. Sen Bernie Sanders.===
This is like The Onion, but mockingly bad too.
They know Alexi was in banking… right… and his bank…
I guess Sanders folks, who Sanders is not a Democrat except to run for President… see that banking thingy as “Kool”
Ok… welp…
- Keyrock - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 5:42 pm:
It’s time for a moderate Republican to win a statewide race. The opportunity is there. Anyone? . . . Anyone?
- Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 6:04 pm:
Pritzker: ‘I’m genuinely considered the most progressive governor in the Midwest’
If a billionaire can carry the mantle
for Illinois progressives - why can’t a lowly millionaire.
- Mama - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 6:47 pm:
Which political office is Alexi Giannoulias running?
- Chicago Blue - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 6:52 pm:
This has no connection to Tom Balanoff and SEIU pushing hard for Alexi, right?
- DuPage - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 6:56 pm:
If he will make giant truck-cranes buy truck plates he will have my vote.
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 8:15 pm:
I’m a fan of Chuy and Clem, and I’m not really sure what better option they have in this primary, but I’m failing to see what in Alexi’s background equates to being a progressive champion.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 8:38 pm:
Giannoulias always reminds me of the quotation “There’s no there there”….
An “innovative problem solver”? Not so much.
- Springfieldish - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 8:56 pm:
Well, yeah. Alexi never helped any Democrats other than himself. Bernie, on the other hand, never helped any Democrats and he isn’t one either. Go figure.
- Dosseis - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 9:10 pm:
====Alexi was in banking… right… and his bank…===
Where was Alexi during the Trump years? What did he do to “resist”? Oh yeah he just made a ****ton of money for himself.
- Frumpy White Guy - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 9:47 pm:
Oh brother, another rich white guy.
- The 5th Deputy Governor - Thursday, Jul 15, 21 @ 12:49 am:
I honestly don’t understand the infatuation with this guy?
- Voice of Reason - Thursday, Jul 15, 21 @ 2:21 am:
Pretty sure that they did this without interviewing the other candidates or having candidates fill out endorsement questionnaires or anything. Not sure what issues or actions they looked at when making this decision. Is it progressive or not to shorten the wait for Driver’s licenses?
- City Zen - Thursday, Jul 15, 21 @ 1:09 pm:
==Clem Balanoff, who served as an anti-machine==
Did the snark indicator not render? We’re not supposed to take this statement seriously, right?
- Senator Clay Davis - Thursday, Jul 15, 21 @ 2:29 pm:
This is BANANAS. Alexi is an empty suit bad actor playing a politician on a crappy network tv show. He accomplished nothing as treasurer, then became a failed banker. I guess then he studied under Obi Wan because he Jedi Mindtricked all these progressives into thinking he’s anything buy the rich white guy opportunist that he’s always been.
- Boone's is Back - Thursday, Jul 15, 21 @ 3:33 pm:
What’s up with this unholy alliance between Chuy, Clem, SEIU, and Alexi? Very puzzling.
- Boone's is Back - Thursday, Jul 15, 21 @ 3:35 pm:
Also, to the comments above, why is it ok to throw rich “white” guy out there? You can’t say that about any other demographic but that’s acceptable? Poor form.
- Shytown - Thursday, Jul 15, 21 @ 3:36 pm:
It just goes to show you that Our Revolution is no different from the same old status quo politics they run against. He’s a banker who grew up in banking money. Since when did Bernie peeps start endorsing bankers? lol. And as Chicago Blue said, this has tom balanoff written all over it just as it does Garcia. I’d bet good money that the rank and file members won’t fall for this and instead will stdh over it.