Alexi Giannoulias gets backing from U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley in contentious Democratic race for secretary of state
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U.S. Rep. Michael Quigley on Tuesday endorsed Alexi Giannoulias in a highly contentious race for the Democratic nomination for Illinois secretary of state.
“Like me, Alexi is committed to restoring the public’s trust in government,” according to a statement from Quigley, a Chicago Democrat, released by the Giannoulias campaign. “That’s why when he was State Treasurer, he put in tough ethics laws and ended pay-to-play right out of the gate.”
Quigley, a former Cook County commissioner who has represented Illinois’ 5th Congressional District since 2009, flirted with a run for Chicago mayor before ruling that out last month. His endorsement is the latest in a heated contest between the Democratic front-runners in the secretary of state’s race, Giannoulias and Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia.
Giannoulias also has endorsements from Democratic U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Hoffman Estates, Jan Schakowsky of Evanston, Brad Schneider of Deerfield and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia and Bobby Rush, both of Chicago.
Valencia is backed by the state’s top Democrats, U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, whose reelection campaign Valencia ran in 2014, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker. She has also secured the endorsement of the man she’s trying to replace, Jesse White, who will be retiring after serving as secretary of state since 1999.
The two candidates have questioned each other’s fitness for the job. The Giannoulias campaign has raised allegations that Valencia’s husband’s lobbying practice has come in conflict with her role as city clerk. Valencia’s campaign has accused Giannoulias of failing to disclose names of his clients at an investment firm where he was wealth director following his term as state treasurer, even as he stresses transparency in government.
Also seeking the Democratic nomination for secretary of state is Ald. David Moore, 17th, who has the endorsement of another longtime congressman, U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, a Chicago Democrat who has represented Illinois’ 7th Congressional District since 1997.
Sidney Moore of south suburban Homewood is also on the Democratic ballot.
Beyond the battle for endorsements, Giannoulias has a commanding financial advantage over his opponents. Through March, his campaign had $4,403,133.39 on hand, more than Valencia and David Moore combined, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections. Valencia had $1,116,365.49 on hand through March and Ald. Moore had $38,663.90, board of elections data show.
On the Republican side, state Rep. Dan Brady of Bloomington and John Milhiser, a former U.S. attorney from central Illinois, are seeking the nomination for secretary of state. Brady’s campaign has announced endorsements from several Republican state legislators as well as from three GOP congressmen, U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis of Taylorville, Darin LaHood of Peoria and Mike Bost of Murphysboro.
Milhiser, who is from Springfield, is running for secretary of state as part of a slate of candidates promoted by billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin.
