CHICAGO - Amid a steady stream of positive campaign developments and sure signs of momentum, Illinois Treasurer and Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias is set to join community and elected leaders from Illinois' Latino community to kick off the campaign's Latinos con Alexi effort.

"I am incredibly honored to earn the support of so many leaders in the Latino community, and I welcome their energy and ideas onto our campaign team," Giannoulias said. "The choice in this election is clear: we can move our country forward and end politics as usual in Washington, or we can go back to the failed Bush/Kirk policies of the past that got us into this mess.  If I am fortunate enough to be elected Illinois' next U.S. Senator, I will work tirelessly every day to fix what's broken in Washington and create the new, good jobs of tomorrow right here in Illinois."

Latinos con Alexi is comprised of Latino community leaders and elected officials from across Illinois who share Alexi's leadership and vision for the future of our state, with an emphasis on creating the new, good jobs of the future right here at home. Leaders included in Latinos con Alexi are State Senator Iris Martinez; State Representatives Luis Arroyo, Dan Burke, Linda Chapa LaVia, Susana Mendoza, and Cynthia Soto; Aldermen Rey Colon, Joe Moreno, and Daniel Solis; and Jesus "Chuy" Garcia.

"Alexi is a true friend to Illinois' Latino community and a champion for working families, and that's why I am proud to help lead the Latinos con Alexi effort," State Rep. Chapa LaVia said. "There is so much at stake in this election. Illinois needs a courageous leader with vision to do what's right in order to overcome these challenging times, and that man is Alexi Giannoulias."

In recent weeks, Giannoulias' campaign has picked up a series of important endorsements, including the Sierra Club and League of Conservation Voters.  In June, a number of high-profile emissaries from the Obama Administration are scheduled to hit the campaign trail for Alexi, including Obama for America campaign manager David Plouffe.
 
"We are laying the foundation we need to win in November," Giannoulias said.