Giannoulias Is In

By Kevin Robinson in News on Jul 27, 2009 3:20PM

Surrounded by supporters and wrapped in the mantle of Illinois's favorite son, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias made official his intention to run for the state's open Senate seat next year. "A few years ago, Barack Obama inspired me to run for public office with the simple belief that it was possible for good people to build a state and a nation where everyone, not just the privileged few, had a real chance to succeed," Giannoulias said Sunday. "In this very building, Barack Obama endorsed my candidacy for state treasurer." And while the White House tried to recruit Attorney General Lisa Madigan to run for the seat, Giannoulias struck a tone of camaraderie and partnership in reference to his relationship with the president. "I think the President and I will be just fine. We're excited about this and, again, there's a lot of work. People have very real problems every single day and its important that we do everything we can to turn them around," he said.

While the state's junior senator's seat has been a source of much controversy and speculation, Giannoulias is the only Democrat to officially throw his hat in the ring. Assuming that Chris Kennedy doesn't decide to run, Giannoulias will likely face Republican 10th District Congressman Mark Kirk in the general election in 2010.