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* UPDATED x1 - Dowell announces congressional bid * Giannoulias ends quarter with $4 million cash as Dowell looks at congressional bid

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* Press release…

Democrat candidate for Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias finished the recent end-of-the-year fundraising quarter strong with more than $4 million in his campaign fund, he campaign announced today.

Giannoulias, the former Illinois State Treasurer who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the statewide office, reported raising more than approximately $655,575 during the fourth quarter that ended December 31, increasing the current total in his campaign fund to approximately $4,025,000 million on hand after expenses.

“I’m proud to have received such a strong showing of support from Illinoisians who want to modernize the office and make it responsive to their needs, health and safety concerns and busy schedules,” Giannoulias said. “Our fundraising total shows that our message is resonating with Illinoisians who share our priorities and expect action when it comes to a government that works better for everyone by improving access and delivering services faster, easier and more conveniently for them.”

In addition to his campaign’s fundraising success, Giannoulias has outlined a series of policy initiatives his administration would undertake that address issues of statewide concern, including: protecting voter rights and making it easier to register and vote; strengthening ethics reforms among government officials and lobbyists; increasing opportunities for women and minority business owners establish and grow their businesses; improving the State’s library system to provide more equity and access; and reducing recidivism by easing the transition for ex-offenders to successfully reintegrate into society.

Since launching his bid for Secretary of State a year ago, Giannoulias has received endorsements from a broad array of Democrats representing more than 200 elected leaders, organized labor and political groups, including the Cook County Democratic Party and the Southern Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association.

* Politico…

Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia has about $820,000 on hand, Ald. David Moore, about $105,000, and Dowell has $520,000. Should she run for federal office, Dowell could return those funds and then see them donated back for a congressional race.

Republican Dan Brady, who’s been endorsed by party leaders across the state, has nearly $300,000 after announcing his bid just six weeks ago.

* Ald. Dowell may drop out of the SoS race…

The surprise decision of Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., to not run for a 16th term sparked a chain reaction Tuesday, with Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) on the verge of dropping her bid for secretary of state and switching to a House run, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.

Dowell told the Sun-Times she will soon decide — it could come within a day or so — whether she will make the switch.

“I am seriously considering a pivot from the secretary of state race to the congressional seat that would be opened by Bobby Rush’s retirement,” she said.

*** UPDATE *** From Pat Dowell…

First, I want to recognize the numerous contributions of Congressman Bobby Rush in his lifetime of service to further civil rights and protect underserved communities, particularly those of color. Congressman Rush has led the fight for racial justice and inspired many.

After careful consideration and many conversations with family and supporters, I am announcing that I will run for Congress in Illinois’ 1st District. Congressman Rush has created a legacy of fighting for others that I will strive to honor and uphold. I am grateful for the support people have given me in my run for Secretary of State. Recent events, both here in Illinois and across the country, have led me to decide to make this run for Congress.

In Congress, I will work every day to ensure Chicago and all the communities of the 1st district receive their fair share of federal resources, safeguard voting rights and access, be a strong voice for gun control, protect Social Secuirty and Medicare, and provide healthcare for all.

* David Moore…

In less than a week, petitions will start circulating for candidates to get on the ballot for the June 28 primary election. As we see in the secretary of state’s race to replace the retiring Jesse White, nothing is constant except change. Alderman Pat Dowell’s decision to end her bid for secretary of state and run for congress changes the race significantly.

I am the only candidate in the secretary of state’s race who circulated petitions for candidate White to run for secretary of state in 1997. Although he had served as a state legislator and Cook County Recorder of Deeds, he did not receive the party’s endorsement.

I believed then, as now that candidate White was the right person for the job—given the office was mired in scandal and corruption. His long service has underscored the need to keep the secretary of state’s office a “servant’s seat,” driven by service to Illinois constituents and not by political ambition.

My record of standing with working families is unassailable, both as a private citizen and elected official. I will build on White’s rich legacy and run the office with great integrity and character while professionally conducting the business of secretary of state, as I stated in my announcement speech on the campus of Western Illinois University in Macomb nearly eight months ago.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 8:10 am

Comments

Blair Hull also had a large campaign fund.

Comment by HonestAbeLives Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 8:18 am
Dowell dropping out, coupled wit hate Durbin/Duckworth endorsements for Valencia, is no bueno for Alexi. He better get the Jesse White endorsement. If Valencia gets it, this race really gets tight.

Comment by moving forward Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 8:18 am
Is it possible that the former mayor may open up his rolodex for Valencia? That could even things up in the money department.

Comment by regular democrat Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 8:34 am
I don’t understand the broad support for Giannoulias . Valencia is not much better, but at least seems to be less “connected” which is good. Dowell will have a hard time competing with Peters who seems to have positioned himself for a larger office fairly quickly and has a much stronger story for the voters in the district.

Comment by Marrs96 Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 9:24 am
==Giannoulias has outlined a series of policy initiatives his administration would undertake that address issues of statewide concern==

So Alexi has finally figured out what office he’s running for?

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 9:34 am
==Blair Hull also had a large campaign fund.==
So does Nikki Budzinski. Your point is?

Comment by Sharia Capo Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 9:43 am
==Blair Hull also had a large campaign fund.==
So does Nikki Budzinski. Your point is?

I don’t think Hull had anticipated having his own Scott Lee Cohen moment a few weeks before the primary, when his abuse/domestic violence allegations went public.

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 9:45 am
==I don’t understand the broad support for Giannoulias==

Agreed. I’m absolutely baffled by the support he’s received. He’s an white, empty suit failed banker with a hard to pronounce name and no real record from his single term as Treasurer. How he somehow garnered support from unions, minorities and local progressive icons is just beyond me. It’s like some kind of Jedi Mind Trick.

Comment by Senator Clay Davis Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 9:52 am
===I don’t think Hull had anticipated having his own Scott Lee Cohen moment a few weeks before the primary, when his abuse/domestic violence allegations went public.

More than a few skeletons left in the Giannoulias closet.

Comment by HonestAbeLives Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 9:55 am
===So does Nikki Budzinski. Your point is?

Budzinski received endorsements from both IL U.S. Senators.

Comment by HonestAbeLives Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 9:57 am
===How he somehow garnered support from unions, minorities and local progressive icons is just beyond me. It’s like some kind of Jedi Mind Trick.

Amazing the things trust fund babies can buy these days.

Comment by HonestAbeLives Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 10:02 am
== Democrat candidate for Secretary of State==

Democratic candiate

Comment by low level Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 10:07 am
I’m reading sniping more and more from the AG folks. he gives a nice handshake and the bullies think they will make us non AG supporters go away. nope.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 10:12 am
-How he somehow garnered support from unions, minorities and local progressive icons is just beyond me. It’s like some kind of Jedi Mind Trick.-

Money and jobs. Money and jobs.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 10:27 am
To the update: Smart move on Ald. Dowell’s part. Her SoS campaign had no traction. Winning the congressional race will still be a tough order though.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 11:26 am
I like Pat Dowell. She’s been a very good alderman.

I wonder if she’s figured out how to convert her state campaign fund into federal money though. Hopefully she’s getting good legal advice on that.

We’ll see who else jumps in, because I doubt she’ll get a free pass.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 11:37 am
I agree this seems like a smart move for Dowell. Not only does she have a better chance at winning the congressional race, I think she would be better in that position than SoS. She can be a fierce advocate for her constituents, but her management style sometimes leaves something to be desired.

Comment by Leslie K Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 11:53 am
Pat doesn’t lose her seat in City Council, most of the others considering, Sims, Peters, Robinson, Evans… will lose their seats. Why leave IL where you are in the majority and go to DC will you most likely will be in the minority?

Comment by 10th Ward Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 12:38 pm
===I’m absolutely baffled by the support he’s received. He’s an white, empty suit failed banker with a hard to pronounce name and no real record from his single term as Treasurer. How he somehow garnered support from unions, minorities and local progressive icons is just beyond me. It’s like some kind of Jedi Mind Trick.===

$$$$

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 1:10 pm
Pat Dowell will make an excellent Congresswoman. She understands the issues better them her potential opponents having worked on affordable housing initiatives before becoming an Alderwoman.

Comment by low level Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 1:38 pm
Excellent pivot by Pat Dowell. She could hold that office for years. It fits her too. Alexi was a rising star. I thought his time had passed, but his old coalition (business, Obama ties, community connection to Jesse White) is still there.

Comment by levivotedforjudy Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 1:59 pm
How am I supposed to take Alexi seriously when his own press release has the “Democrat candidate” wording and not the correct “Democratic candidate”?

Comment by low level Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 5:24 pm
Alexi… possibly rolling against Durbin… with others…

… then draws Griffin’s money and angst.

Four million… doesn’t seem enough now… given how this is rolling, no?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 6:14 pm
==Money and jobs. Money and jobs.==

If Alexi wins does he rehire Candace Wanzo? That wouldn’t surprise me.

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 7:53 pm