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* From 32nd Ward Democratic Committeeperson Scott Waguespack and 43rd Ward Democratic Committeeperson Lucy Moog to Cook County Central Committee Chair Toni Preckwinkle…
August 2, 2021
Toni Preckwinkle Chair
Cook County Democratic Party 134 N. LaSalle
Chicago, IL 60602Dear Chairwoman Preckwinkle:
On June 5, the Cook County Democratic Party held a candidate forum for IL Secretary of State. When the candidates were questioned by the Committeepeople, former State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias was asked whether he had ever endorsed a republican candidate; and specifically, whether he did so, in the 2014 race for Illinois Treasurer of Mike Frerichs vs. Tom Cross. Mr. Giannoulias replied that he said a few nice things about Tom Cross but did not endorse.
We are reaching out today to ask a formal request of the party to explore and determine whether an endorsement was made in 2014 by then Treasurer Giannoulias. If a candidate for the Democratic nomination were to have endorsed a republican in the past, this would be critical information for our fellow Committeepeople to know before going into the Party slating process this fall. Just this past year, we investigated and sanctioned one of our own Committeepersons for supporting a republican candidate for countywide office, recognizing our duty and importance of supporting the Democratic ticket.
We are available to answer any questions about this this request and hope that a subcommittee can get to the truth of what transpired in the fall of 2014. To keep a strong and vibrant party, we need to make sure everyone is playing for the same team with commitment and loyalty.
Thank you for your consideration.
Waguespack has endorsed Ald. Pat Dowell for SoS. Moog has endorsed Anna Valencia.
* Preckwinkle’s reply…
August 11, 2021
Committeepersons Waguespack and Moog:
We are in receipt of your letter dated August 2 in reference to a statement made by Secretary of State candidate Giannoulias at our June 5 forum. The Executive Committee met on August 9 and chose to provide this response.
Mr. Giannoulias’ actions regarding the 2014 race for state treasurer were widely covered at the time in local media outlets, so additional research on our part is unnecessary. Articles appeared in both the Chicago Tribune (https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/chi-democrat-giannoulias-backs-republican-cross-for-state-treasurer-20140921-story.html) and Chicago Sun Times (https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2014/9/21/18592294/giannoulias-a-democrat backs -republican-cross-for-treasurer). We have also searched the Illinois State Board of Elections and have not found any records of Mr. Giannoulias making a donation to Republican Tom Cross. Please feel free to share this public information as you see fit.
Thank you for your inquiry.
* The linked stories…
* Democrat Giannoulias backs Republican Cross for state treasurer: Former Democratic state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias on Sunday endorsed Republican Tom Cross over Democrat Mike Frerichs for the job of managing Illinois’ money.
* Giannoulias, a Democrat, backs Republican Cross for treasurer: Former state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, a Democrat, is throwing his support behind Republican Tom Cross in the current race for treasurer, opting to not support fellow Democrat Mike Frerichs.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Hanah Jubeh…
Seven years ago, Alexi said something nice about a candidate from another party. It was not an endorsement and it is certainly not what voters care about. Alexi is running to protect voter rights and modernize the office so we can reduce the lines at driver’s license facilities across the State. These false attacks are exactly what’s wrong with politics today and are what frustrate voters. Right now, people want to elect candidates who care about public service, are committed to restoring faith in government and will work hard for them to make a positive impact in their daily lives.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Greg Hinz got Frerichs on the record…
“He called me this spring, and apologized for endorsing Cross,” Frerichs told me. And Giannoulias did use the word “endorsed” in their talk, Frerichs said. “From my perspective, this all is in the past now.”
Boom.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 12:46 pm
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==whether an endorsement was made in 2014 by then Treasurer Giannoulias==
Umm, Alexi wasn’t treasurer in 2014.
Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 12:49 pm
If those 2014 stories incorrectly reported Giannoulias’ endorsement of Cross, why did Giannoulias wait until 2021 to correct the record?
Comment by HonestAbeLives Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 12:51 pm
Alexi backed Cross.
Alexi is for Alexi.
Alexi isn’t great for the Dems, it’s a shame Dems are ignoring some things and focusing on… Tom Cross
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 12:54 pm
Why doesn’t somebody ask Frerichs?
I’m sure he remembers
Comment by Belden Ave. Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 12:54 pm
Alexi backed Cross period. He is confused and should be dumped and thus should not accept the party’s Dem nod.
Frerichs probably would say: “I don’t want to even stand near that guy!”
Comment by Pizza Man Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 12:58 pm
I don’t recall Alexi asking for a correction to those headlines or a retraction of his statements. He endorsed him, plain and simple.
That issue aside, he’s a lousy candidate on the issues and his record, why worry about semantics? I will never understand why he’s the current front runner.
Comment by Excitable Boy Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 12:58 pm
=== I will never understand why he’s the current front runner.===
You mean besides the real big cash lead and union support?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 1:01 pm
==why did Giannoulias wait until 2021 to correct the record?==
Kind of reminiscent about how he tried to correct the record about his roles at Broadway Bank.
Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 1:02 pm
Wait, Alexi once deviated from the party line?
Well, we certainly cannot have that! Unless the candidates are 100% pure, they have no business running for office!
I’m really tired of that from both sides. These loyalty tests are tiresome.
You can be a member of the party worthy of nomination even if you disagree at times.
Comment by Crash Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 1:05 pm
==Kind of reminiscent about how he tried to correct the record about his roles at Broadway Bank.
He won the Treasurer job campaigning on his extensive banking experience, but when news of mob loans started coning out and the bank imploded, he was really just the coffee boy the whole time.
He lost the Senate race to Kirk because he is a phony and will lose the SoS race for that reason and because of the big, fat FDIC bailout that let him keep his trust fund money.
Comment by HonestAbeLives Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 1:09 pm
The question was to determine if an endorsement was made, but they didn’t answer. Makes me wonder if Preckwinkle is getting her “donations” too. They should have also added Alexi hasn’t made any donations to anyone democrat since he’s been out of office which I don’t think he has.
Comment by BigLou Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 1:10 pm
This kind of “all or nothing” partisanship just frustrates me.
Endorsing a candidate from the opposite party half a decade ago shouldn’t disqualify someone.
There are a lot of us moderate/centrist voters that don’t vote straight down the party line. Why would we expect the elected officials to do the same?
Comment by SomeGuy Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 1:10 pm
Is it just me or does anyone else think that Alexi is the Democrats’ version of Aaron Schock?
Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 1:16 pm
I am very grateful that so many Republicans endorsed Biden last year. I would hate to see them “punished” for doing so. This works the other way around too.
Comment by Grimlock Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 1:16 pm
Amazing how Alexi hasn’t contributed on the federal level since 2008 and all of the sudden he has lots of donations in 2020 to democrats.
Comment by BigLou Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 1:17 pm
==Endorsing a candidate from the opposite party half a decade ago shouldn’t disqualify someone.
Then why did he lie about making the endorsement when asked about it recently after many years of silence?
Lying should be disqualifying.
Comment by HonsestAbeLives Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 1:18 pm
“Endorsing a candidate from the opposite party half a decade ago shouldn’t disqualify someone.”
Totally agree. But maybe then don’t be expected to be slated with the guy that won the race. My issue is with Alexi personally, not endorsing someone of the other party. The guy is a two-faced (banned word).
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 1:19 pm
This is a slippery slope. Remember when Kirk Dillard endorsed Barack Obama for president? Does the party really want to discourage that kind of bipartisanship? Oh that’s right, this is just more sniping to push individual agendas/ vendettas. That’s what it always comes down to with the “you said something nice about/endorsed a Republican” attack during slating.
Comment by Boone's is Back Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 1:24 pm
When will the committee call for further investigation of past financial dealings with organized crime and Broadway Bank? Was that bank seized? What did Alexi know and when did he know it?
Comment by 62468 Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 1:27 pm
KaBoom….welcome your IL State Fair
Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 1:27 pm
Saying Alexi is the Democrat Aaron Schock is deeply insulting…to Aaron Schock.
Comment by Captain Obvious Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 1:31 pm
===Right now, people want to elect candidates who care about public service, are committed to restoring faith in government and will work hard for them to make a positive impact in their daily lives.===
Surely Hannah knows there are many others with these credentials? Alexi Giannoulias is not serious about public service or government or anything else she’s listed. He’s a dilettante.
Endorsing Tom Cross is the least of his problems as far as I’m concerned. I can’t believe Labor and so many pols have tied themselves to this anchor of a candidate.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 2:00 pm
Sorry, Hannah, but this story Rich posted is pretty clear. Alexi backed Cross. You really need to just concede the obvious and move on.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/chi-democrat-giannoulias-backs-republican-cross-for-state-treasurer-20140921-story.html
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 2:09 pm
=== Alexi is running to protect voter rights ===
Then he’s running for the wrong office and is an utter phony, yet again.
=== Right now, people want to elect candidates who care about public service, are committed to restoring faith in government and will work hard for them to make a positive impact in their daily lives.===
Narrator: Alexi has been missing in action for years.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 2:09 pm
Preckwinkle’s reply was awfully fast and succinct…looks like Alexis has the county slating process lined up.
Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 2:11 pm
If Alexi swings at every pitch like this he’s going to have a long two years.
Comment by Cannonball Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 2:13 pm
==I am very grateful that so many Republicans endorsed Biden last year. I would hate to see them “punished” for doing so.==
Well…they are being punished, so.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 2:13 pm
==”will work hard for them to make a positive impact in their daily lives.”
How much of a “positive impact” did Giannoulias make for all those Brightstart families that lost their college tuition savings all while he was bailed out by the FDIC and was able to keep his inherited millions?
Comment by HonestAbeLives Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 2:15 pm
===Preckwinkle’s reply was awfully fast===
9 days is fast?
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 2:15 pm
Jubeh’s statement is patently false; Alexi endorsed Cross. Giannoulias’ record for honesty and integrity remains consistent.
Comment by Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 2:21 pm
== Seven years ago, Alexi said something nice about a candidate from another party. It was not an endorsement and it is certainly not what voters care about ===
I would say that basically saying “voters don’t seem to care about what Alexi says” is an interesting approach.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 2:25 pm
Republicans supporting Biden over Trump is no where near supporting Cross over Frerichs, that is insulting. Alexi not backing Frerichs and backing a Republican is ridiculous. But put focus on what really should take him down…the bank.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 2:29 pm
I don’t care who he endorses or even speaks well of–I don’t want to vote for him.
Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 2:31 pm
Alexi and Frerichs (the irony of Alexi endorsing over Frerichs but… ) ate the best opportunities for Republicans (not ridiculous Trumpkins) to gain.
Alexi’s attempt to rehabilitate his checkered image and Frerichs standing tall to discuss taxing retirement income are the chances Republicans need.
It’s silly that a Dem ticket could have them both and Illinois could be saddled with both… because the Trump party here is so bad for statewide candidates
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 2:32 pm
Speaking of Cook County Dems, anyone else curious why fellow Greek and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has not fallen in line and endorsed Alexi so far?
Pappas has always had sharp political instincts and has never been shy about speaking her mind. Why the silence now on Alexi?
Comment by Kynikos Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 2:35 pm
==How much of a “positive impact” did Giannoulias make for all those Brightstart families that lost their college tuition savings==
He could claim, “If it wasn’t for me, there would be no calls for free college and tuition forgiveness.”
Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 2:36 pm
== He could claim, “If it wasn’t for me, there would be no calls for free college and tuition forgiveness.”
Giannoulias and his BrightStart victims are the living, breathing example of Socialism for the rich and rugged capitalism for working families.
Comment by HonestAbeLives Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 2:42 pm
Alexi shouldn’t be disqualified for openly supporting Cross over Frerichs some years ago. It was an unfortunate error in judgment regardless of political affiliation. He and his spokesperson should be owning up to his mistake.
Comment by walker Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 2:47 pm
@ Kynikos …good point.
If he can’t be trusted then on a simply endorsement how are we–the voters–going to trust him once in office?
Just because your former CoS (while Treasurer) is the current Party Chair, this should not be a coronation.
Comment by Pizza Man Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 2:55 pm
==He and his spokesperson should be owning up to his mistake.
Hannah Jubeh isn’t his spokesperson, she is the mastermind behind his campaign. Instead of owning his Republican endorsement, they have decided to double down on Giannoulias’ obvious lie.
Jubeh is clearly taking a page from the Trump playbook.
Comment by HonestAbeLives Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 3:03 pm
“Mr. Giannoulias replied that he said a few nice things about Tom Cross but did not endorse.”
I’m fine with Alexi supporting anybody he wants. But lying about something that got widespread coverage is just stupid.
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 3:21 pm
==“Speaking of Cook County Dems, anyone else curious why fellow Greek and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has not fallen in line and endorsed Alexi so far?”
Even harder to explain when Pappas’ own Chief of Staff is a strong Alexi supporter. I guess he couldn’t get his boss to make the endorsement.
Comment by LowerMyPropertyTaxes Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 3:26 pm
==“He called me this spring, and apologized for endorsing Cross,” Frerichs told me. And Giannoulias did use the word “endorsed” in their talk, Frerichs said. “From my perspective, this all is in the past now.”
Frerichs with the takedown of Giannoulias and his lies.
Comment by HonestAbeLives Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 3:29 pm
OW, could you please clarify how you feel about Giannoulias and Frerichs? I’m not sure I get it. I know you only mention it in every single post, regardless of topic.
Comment by McGuppin Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 3:35 pm
And to the the other candidates in the Dem primary, my advice is to get yourselves together and run better campaigns. That includes raising money and hitting the road to meet voters. I have a strong suspicion that maybe there are some negatives in your book as well? You’re gonna need to raise money to communicate with voters and defend your own deficiencies. It’s a fairly brittle glass house from which you’re sending your surrogates to chuck rocks.
Comment by McGuppin Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 3:43 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN2gU0XU5FU&ab_channel=BCCBusinessClips
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 4:00 pm
If former Sen. Dillard (RTA Chairman) decides to throw his hat in the ring and opt for SoS (vs. Gov) next year…Alexi may be in trouble in the general.
Comment by Pizza Man Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 4:00 pm
Frerichs played this really well. Surprised he had the patience to wait for somebody to come to him on this.
I thought Jubeh was Frerichs’ fundraiser/politico too, but I guess not anymore lol
Comment by Almost the Weekend Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 4:01 pm
== If former Sen. Dillard (RTA Chairman) decides to throw his hat in the ring and opt for SoS (vs. Gov) next year…Alexi may be in trouble in the general.
Easy Dillard win.
History would repeat itself with Giannoulias losing to yet another Republican when no other Democrat could.
Comment by HonestAbeLives Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 4:06 pm
In the next year there will opportunities for folks to ask SoS candidates a question. I hope we can get the candidates on record as to their support for the .05% BAC recommended by the NTSB in 2009. The reason they did this recommendation is to reduce road fatalities by 10% or more than 100 lives a year.
Comment by Al Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 4:19 pm
I’m sure Frerichs will also admit he wants to discuss taxing retirement income.
If we’re admitting things.
- McGuppin -
You *can* skip my comments.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 4:21 pm
Wouldn’t be surprised for some Dem voters to jump ship if Alexis is the Dem nominee next year, and vote for Sen. Dillard in the general.
Broadway scandal, Brightstart program, outdated ‘Progressive’ candidate, now lies on past endorsements?
Comment by Pizza Man Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 4:22 pm
Dillard would be smart to get $30 mil from Griffin, run for SoS.
It makes so much sense it’ll never happen
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 4:26 pm
Let’s not lose sight of the fact that Tom Cross would have made a good treasurer(and not saying the Mike Frerichs would have or is a bad state treasurer;he is well qualified) and Cross is certainly much more “democratic” in his beliefs then the leader of the party at that time. Alexi’s support is not surprising given his young age and progressive views. The “Party” today is different than the party at that time.
Comment by Independant Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 4:26 pm
As someone who finds many politicians suffocating and full of empty rhetoric, Tom Cross is one of the most reasonable, honest and kind politicans I have encountered as an Illinois resident. While I did not have the opportunity to vote for him during his time in Springfield or for his race as Treasurer, I can say that I am supportive of his dedicated service to our State.
Comment by PeterG_Chicagoresident Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 4:30 pm
- PeterG_Chicagoresident -
You should play golf with Tom Cross.
Especially on election days.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 4:31 pm
so Frerichs contradicts Jubeh. Frerichs comment should have stood alone. Jubeh did not need to say anything, Frerichs gave it to you. mistake.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 4:35 pm
And I heard he puts ketchup on hot dogs.
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 4:36 pm
The past is the past so let’s deal with the current. Hannah and Alexi want you to buy that he is the ultimate Election Authority. The protector of your voting rights. They both should take a class on what the Secretary of State actually does.
Comment by Electboss Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 4:42 pm
As usual, Hanah Jubeh is lying through her teeth.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 4:47 pm
McGuppin defensive much? Maybe you should tell your guy Alexi that if he’s not willing to own up to his own past and record then maybe he should rethink entering this race because the fact that he endorsed a Republican is nothing compared to his other negatives. But to keep denying this and spinning it as him just being positive about a likable Republican is insulting to those of us who know better.
Comment by Shytown Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 6:17 pm
2014 - Alexi the Absent Endorses a GOP state wide candidate
2014 - Rauner the Rancorous is elected
2016 - Donald Trump is elected
2018 - JB Pritzker handily defeats Rauner the Ruinous
2020 - Biden defeats Donald Trump — just scrapping by largely thanks to very successful voter protection programs that prevented the GOP from successfully preventing traditionally democratic voters from casting their ballots through all kinds of Jim Crow tactics
2021 - Alexi the Absent, who has apparently done nothing on the political stage/arena since endorsing a Republican statewide candidate says he wants to run for state wide office again.
Alexi was absent - even though the government of the State of Illinois was forced “into crisis” by a billionaire who would sooner see millions suffer than acknowledge workers have rights.
Alexi was absent when our Democracy was put to the test by a corrupt Russian asset who seeks to enrich himself and enshrine himself as a king or dictator.
Where has Alexi been in all of this? Six years of opportunities to be involved in organizing or drawing attention to just about every meaningful issue on the democratic or progressive side of the political spectrum. People who have never been involved in political action before found themselves swept up in mass protests in the form of womens marches, in the form of Black Lives Matter protests and demonstrations, and where was this guy?
He can have money. He can have support from labor. He can have all of those things, and I won’t care until Alexi explains to me and the rest of Illinois where exactly he’s been from when he endorsed a state wide GOP candidate and then decided to run for a state wide Democratic office.
Has he shown up at all in any meaningful or token way to demonstrate that while our democratic values were under attack that he would stand with those who struggle to have their voices heard — that he would stand with those who threaten to have their rights taken away from them.
He’s running on the idea of protecting voting rights. Okay. Well, what was he doing to help protect voting rights in 2016? In 2018? Or in the 2020 general election?
Alexi has been absent. I think these are fair concerns to raise since 2014 was the last time that I am aware of that he tried to contribute to our body politic in a meaningful way.
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 8:44 pm
Trying to figure how Alexi wins without Lake County.
Comment by Springfieldish Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 8:58 pm
For me, it’s less that he did it and more that he won’t own it. Ew-lexi.
Comment by SubRosa Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 9:08 pm