U.S. Senate Nominee Alexi Giannoulias’ campaign released a new positive ad today that features President Obama and focuses on his successful battle to save jobs at Illinois suit maker Hartmarx.

The 30-second spot begins with the president telling voters they can trust and count on Giannoulias. He then talks about Giannoulias’ efforts as Illinois State Treasurer to prevent Hartmarx from closing and laying off hundreds of workers.

“Alexi really stood up with us,” says one Hartmarx worker. “Alexi helped save those jobs,” says another.

Giannoulias threatened to pull the state's $8 billion investment portfolio from Hartmarx's main creditor, Wells Fargo, last year after it planned to shut down the plant and liquidate the 600 jobs. Wells Fargo subsequently agreed to sell the factory to an owner willing to preserve the jobs at the Des Plaines plant. Since then, business has thrived and Hartmarx has hired even more workers.

This success demonstrates Giannoulias' commitment to moving this nation forward by creating and retaining good-paying jobs, closing loopholes that reward companies that ship jobs overseas and standing up for middle-class families and against the special interests of Wall Street.

Or, in the words of one Hartmarx worker in the ad: "We need more people like Alexi in politics; a person that cares."

The ad can be viewed here and a transcript is below.

TRANSCRIPT

Giannoulias: I’m Alexi Giannoulias, and I approve this message.

Obama: Alexi’s my friend. I know his character. You can trust him. You can count on him. I’m sure a lot of you have heard of what he did for Hartmarx.

Man 1: We were going to lose our jobs.

Obama: A big bank threatened to pull their credit. Alexi stepped in.
Woman 1: Alexi really stood up with up with us.

Obama: Alexi helped save those jobs.

Man 2: We need more people like Alexi in politics. A person that cares.

Obama: That’s the kind of person you want in the United States Senate.