Some Democrats Angry at Giannoulias Over 2014 Endorsement of Republican
Former State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, who is now running for Secretary of State, is being criticized by some Democrats after seemingly endorsing Republican Tom Cross for Treasurer in 2014.
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Greg Hinz of Crain’s Chicago Business reports there are some Democrats who want to know more about Giannoulias’ seeming endorsement of Republican Tom Cross for State Treasurer in 2014.
In an Aug. 2 letter, two Chicago ward committeemen allied with other candidates for secretary of state asked Preckwinkle to “explore and determine whether an endorsement (of Cross) was made in 2014” by Giannoulias, who by that time had left the office and was in private life.
“If a candidate for the Democratic nomination (for secretary of state) were to have endorsed a Republican in the past, this would be critical information for our fellow committee-people to know before going into the party slating process this fall,” said the letter, signed by the 32nd Ward’s Scott Waguespack and the 43rd Ward’s Lucy Moog. Waguespack is backing Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd, in the race, while Moog is supporting Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia.
Preckwinkle responded in a letter dated yesterday. It said the county party’s executive committee decided a probe was not needed because Giannoulias’ 2014 comments “were widely covered at the time in local media outlets.”
The coverage of Giannoulias’ endorsement over Democrat Mike Frerichs was pretty clear and seemingly never corrected, so he wasn’t that upset the endorsement got out. Frerichs confirmed to The Illinoize Thursday that Giannoulias called him a few months ago to apologize for “endorsing” Cross, using the term “endorsing.” Frerichs said “it’s in the past.”
Giannoulias’ campaign did not respond to a message Thursday and Giannoulias did not return a text message, but here’s what he told Crain’s:
“I never endorsed (Cross), I said nice things about someone over seven years ago,” Giannoulias said in an email. “Frankly, that’s what’s wrong with politics today and what is so frustrating to voters. People shouldn’t be vilified for saying something even remotely kind about an individual from the other party. This is why people are so disgusted with politics. We have to be better than this. People want to elect candidates who care about public service, are committed to restoring faith in government and will work hard for them to make a positive impact in their daily lives”
It’s worth noting the two Democrats who want to investigate Giannoulias before Cook County Democrats make an endorsement are supporting two of Giannoulias’ opponents.