Meet Alexi

On November 7, 2006, Alexi Giannoulias was elected State Treasurer of Illinois, capping off one of the more improbable victories in Illinois politics. Running against the political establishment, he became the youngest state treasurer in the nation at the time by proposing bold new initiatives and a fresh perspective on public policy.

As Treasurer, Alexi has always made job creation and economic development a centerpiece of his public service. He has promoted programs that help small business owners access capital and promote investment in our communities.

As a candidate for Senate, Alexi has introduced his comprehensive FutureWorks plan, a detailed, common-sense economic plan to jump start our economy and create the next generation of good-paying jobs right here in Illinois. Alexi's plan includes tax relief for working families and small businesses, cracking down on deceptive and dangerous corporate practices that hurt our economy,  and reducing our deficit.

Alexi is a progressive Democrat who believes we need to move this country forward, rebuild the economy and create the next generation of good-paying jobs instead of returning to the failed policies of the past.

He believes in a government that belongs to the citizens it represents. With the worst economic downturn in a generation sending shockwaves through our nation, the American people want their government standing up for them instead of the corporate special interests that have been running Washington for the past decade.  The more Americans know about how their government operates—from who influences legislation to the real consequences of an enacted law—the more they can hold their elected officials accountable and ensure that their tax dollars are put to the proper use.

Alexi graduated cum laude from Boston University with a degree in economics and earned a law degree from Tulane University's School of Law. He formerly was Vice-President of Broadway Bank, a community bank founded by his late father. Alexi is running for the United States Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama.

What He's Accomplished

As State Treasurer, Alexi has made ethics and government reform his top priority. On his very first day in office, Alexi issued an executive order enacting the most sweeping ethics reforms in the history of the office by banning contributions to his campaign from office employees, contractors and banks.

Throughout his tenure, Alexi has also worked to create jobs right here in Illinois by promoting programs that help small business owners have access to capital, and by working with citizens to promote investment in our communities.

Take Hartmarx for example. When Wells Fargo threatened to liquidate good-paying American jobs at Hartmarx, a 120-year-old men’s clothier in Des Plaines, Alexi took action. He made it clear that if Wells Fargo received $25 billion in bailout money from federal taxpayers, then it had a responsibility to invest in American jobs and American workers, not destroy American companies. Alexi told the president of the bank that if those jobs were liquidated, Wells Fargo would no longer manage $8 billion in Illinois taxpayer money. Because Alexi and others stood up to Wells Fargo, the bank relented and hundreds of Illinois jobs were saved.

Alexi has worked to overhaul Illinois’ Bright Start college savings program. Before Alexi took office, Bright Start was ranked one of the worst programs of its kind in the country. Alexi reformed the program, increasing transparency and offering more investment options for Illinois families. Alexi turned the program around, and in 2009, Money Magazine and Consumer Reports highlighted it as one of the top programs in the country. In June 2010, Kiplinger’s named it one of the five best college savings programs in America.

He also continued his commitment to education by expanding the state’s scholarship programs to provide financial aid to the children of fallen soldiers. Alexi has also focused his public service on environmental issues. He has led the way on incentives for hybrid vehicle purchases and has worked to pass legislation to “green” our government records by giving state government the option to store records electronically.

Endorsements

NARAL PRO-CHOICE AMERICA PAC

As one of the leading advocates for privacy and a woman's right to choose, NARAL Pro-Choice America knows how important it is to elect leaders who will steadfastly protect those rights.  NARAL has previously awarded Congressman Kirk a 100% rating, but after studying where both candidates stand in this race, they chose Alexi.  "Too many voters in Illinois are under the wrong impression that they can count on Mark Kirk to consistently stand up for a woman's right to choose," said President of NARAL Pro-Choice America Nancy Keenan. "That perception is wrong. This election is about a pro-choice champion like Alexi Giannoulias versus a 'great pretender' like Kirk. It is clear that Giannoulias will be a senator who stands up for the values of freedom and privacy. Giannoulias has the experience necessary to keep this crucial Senate seat in pro-choice hands. He brings a distinguished record of support for a woman's right to choose to this race."  Click here to read about Alexi's positions on women's issues.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD ILLINOIS ACTION

Planned Parenthood Illinois Action, a leading pro-choice organization, endorsed Mark Kirk in each of his last four elections over his Democratic opponent. But this year, the organization saw in Alexi a true fighter for women's rights.  As Steve Trombley, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Illinois Action has said, "Alexi has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to women's reproductive health issues. We stand behind candidates who stand up for the women and families of Illinois."  Click here to read about Alexi's positions on women's issues.
 

SIERRA CLUB, ILLINOIS CHAPTER

For over 110 years, members of the Sierra Club have fought to preserve and protect our environment and create a sustainable world. Previously, the Sierra Club had endorsed Mark Kirk in all but one of his campaigns. In this race, however, the choice was clear.  The group has proudly endorsed Alexi and his plans to move us forward towards a 21st century economy based on clean energy jobs.  Click here to read about Alexi's positions on energy & climate change.

Jack Darin, Director of Sierra Club, Illinois chapter, has said that “Alexi Giannoulias is the clear choice for Illinois voters who want to move beyond big oil to a cleaner, better energy future that creates good jobs here in our communities in the industries of the future.”
 

LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS (LCV)

As the leading political voice of the national environmental movement, the League of Conservation Voters has fought tirelessly for the types of policies that keep our air and water clean and spur economic growth around new, clean energy jobs.  LCV used to rate Congressman Kirk highly and endorsed him in almost all of his races. However, this time around, the League recognized that Alexi is the only candidate in this race who is truly committed to a sound energy and environmental policies. As LCV has said, "Alexi will stand up to corporate polluters who spend millions of dollars every year fighting against clean energy." Click here to read about Alexi's positions on energy & climate change issues.
 

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN (HRC)

The Human Rights Campaign is the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, and it has endorsed Alexi as "the progressive leader Illinois needs." Although the group has repeated endorsed Congressman Kirk in the past, after Kirk voted to retain the military's discriminatory ban on openly lesbian and gay service members, the organization endorsed Alexi as the only champion for modern civil rights issues.  The President of HRC noted at the time that "while many lawmakers stood on the right side of history in voting to end 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' Rep. Kirk voted to maintain discrimination that hurts our national security. Thankfully voters have better choice in Alexi Giannoulias who will always stand up for equality." Click here to read about Alexi's position on LGBT equality.