Southern IL Democrats Endorse Giannoulias for Secretary of State
Party Leaders Praise Former Treasurer’s Commitment to Downstate; Middle-Class Values
The Southern Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association voted Sunday to endorse Alexi Giannoulias for Illinois Secretary of State in the 2022 primary election.
“I’m honored to have earned the endorsements of so many accomplished and dedicated leaders, and I look forward to working with them in fighting for what’s important for Southern Illinois,” said Giannoulias who received the support of the 22-county-group as well as four other nearby counties. “Our campaign continues to build a strong broad-based coalition heading into the primary and Southern Illinois voters will play an important role in determining who wins the race.”
Giannoulias, a former Illinois State Treasurer who is the only Secretary of State candidate to have run and won statewide multiple times, received the endorsements during the group’s meeting at International Union of Operating Engineers Local 318 Hall in Marion.
Illinois Labor leader Ed Smith, CEO of ULLICO and Retired VP of LIUNA Midwest Region also pledged his support for Giannoulias.
“Alexi is genuine in his commitment to Southern Illinois families and our communities,” said Vivian Robinson, Vice Chair of the Illinois Democratic Party and 15th District State Central Democratic Committeewoman, representing 33 counties in the southern part of the state. “His dedication will continue as Secretary of State in promoting an ambitious agenda to increase safety on our roadways, modernize the office to make it easier to obtain necessary driver’s licenses and registrations, and strengthen the State’s ethics laws to prevent waste and corruption.”
“We know that Alexi will advocate on behalf of working families and work hard to rebuild the middle class, especially as we emerge from the COVID crisis,” said the President of the Southern Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association and Perry County Chair Calen J. Campanella. “Alexi has a proven track record of standing with Southern Illinois and has the passion, vision and ideas that will help restore trust and build confidence in our elected officials and government.”
“The people of Southern Illinois are known for their toughness and resilience and no one embodies that better than Alexi,” said Jackson County Chair Mike Barone. “On issues that matter most in our community, Alexi has our backs and has been fighting beside us from the very start of his political career. He is the only candidate in the race with the experience, heart and vision to unite Illinois and move us forward.”
“We need leaders like Alexi who will serve as the next nominee of Secretary of State,” said Hardin County Chair Dennis Austin. “More than ever, now is the time for steady leadership from a proven leader who knows how to get things done. Throughout his career, Alexi has shown his ability to build coalitions and determination to fight for families, especially as we emerge from the pandemic.”
Current Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has indicated that he will not seek re-election in 2022, which would create an open seat.
As State Treasurer from 2007 to 2011, Giannoulias administered Cultivate Illinois, enhancing one of the nation’s largest farm-loan programs, which provided aid to thousands of Illinois farmers. He also doubled the number of college scholarships awarded to Illinois high school students who planned careers in agriculture-related fields.
During a time of record foreclosures, Alexi responded with a program to help homeowners refinance into affordable mortgages so they could keep their homes. He also cracked down on debt settlement companies that make false promises of big savings to consumers while pushing them further into debt. To honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country in Iraq and Afghanistan, Alexi launched the Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund to benefit the children of fallen Illinois service members.
As a U.S. Senate candidate, Alexi received strong support from organized labor and was the first to outline a comprehensive plan for downstate and rural communities designed to spur economic growth, improve access to affordable healthcare and increase internet/broadband availability.
Visit AlexiForUs.com to learn more about the campaign.
The Southern Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association consists of the following counties:
Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Marion, Monroe, Moultrie, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Shelby, Washington, Wayne, and White.
Giannoulias also received endorsements from Mike Barone (Jackson), Johnson, Teresa Vincent (Union) and Williamson counties during the meeting.
