Schakowsky Endorses Giannoulias For Senate

Democratic frontrunner Alexi Giannoulias trotted out another endorsement in his bid for President Obama's former U.S. Senate seat.

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky this weekend became the latest of Illinois' Congressional Democrats to line up behind Obama's old basketball buddy, joining fellow Illinois Democratic Reps. Luis Gutierrez, Phil Hare, Bill Foster and Mike Quigley.

Schakowsky is a leading proponent of health care reform, particularly the public option, and she praised the state treasurer for pledging to support families over insurance companies.

"Alexi Giannoulias is the best candidate to retain President Obama's seat because he has the courage to take on powerful interests and stand up for Illinois families," Schakowsky said in a statement. "He supports health-insurance reform that will reign in the soaring costs of premiums and protect families from losing coverage during these difficult economic times."

Giannoulias faces former Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Jackson, former Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman, and attorney Jacob Meister in the Democratic primary.

North Shore Congressman Mark Kirk is fending off a challenge from Hinsdale developer Patrick Hughes in the Republican primary.

Kirk has been a consistent opponent of the Democratic-led health care reform efforts, and Giannoulias and Schakowsky criticized him as being on the wrong side of the debate.

"Jan and I believe in a simple proposition: if you pay your premiums your insurance company should cover you - no exceptions, no caps, no limits," Giannoulias said in a statement. "Mark Kirk disagrees. He believes in protecting insurance companies, not protecting people."

As of the latest reporting period, Giannoulias leads all candidates in money raised.

Comments

[JajeProduce]

Oh Jan - you got played by Blago 2.0. Alexi will say anything to get progressives to support him, just like Blago did. But he is just an ego tripping punk who will go down in flames against the seasoned Mark Kirk. Hey Alexi - what happened to my kids' Birght Start money? Is Lisa Madigan investigating why the safe non-equity porition tanked on your watch? Remember not to use the hybrid Ford your office got from the Bright Start funds - 'cause it is an official vehicle. NTW alexi which of your loyal aides is going to eventually take an overdose or put a gun to this head to cover up your misdeeds. It's the democratic way in Illinois.

[CommunistUtopia]

Big deal. They are both a couple of crooked losers.

[al343806]

I hope you have some facts to back that up. I have known Ms. Schakowsky and she is far from it. I am not familiar with Giannoulias and no longer live in the state of Illinois, so I won't comment on him. But I hope you have some basis in reality if you're going to go off slandering a person's name.