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Giannoulias launches exploratory committee for U.S. Senate bid
 March 2,2009
State Treasurer names economy as top priority
With less than a year before the 2010 primary election, Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias today will form an exploratory committee for election to the U.S. Senate.
Giannoulias is filing the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to form the committee, which will allow him to raise money for a possible Senate run in Illinois.
The Senate seat was held previously by Giannoulias' political mentor, Barack Obama, who stepped down after winning the U.S. Presidency last November.
"More than ever, we need a Senator who can deliver on the change that President Obama has promised our nation," said Giannoulias, noting that he has received a tremendous response from Illinois residents encouraging him to pursue the Senate seat.
Giannoulias, the state's chief investment officer, says restoring the public's trust and confidence in government, reviving the economy and getting Illinoisans back to work would serve as his top priorities.
"Working families in Illinois and throughout the nation are facing serious financial challenges during this economic downturn," Giannoulias said. "They are hungry for new leadership and solutions."
Giannoulias was elected Illinois State Treasurer in 2006 as an independent Democrat. He has been committed to wisely investing the state's money and to promoting a progressive, reform-based agenda that focuses on innovative initiatives and policies.
Coming from the private sector, Giannoulias sought to implement new safeguards to make government more accountable, curb ethical abuses and eliminate even the perception of any wrongdoing.
His accomplishments include:
- Ending pay-to-play politics in the Treasurer's office by prohibiting his campaign fund from taking contributions from contractors, banks and office employees.
- Making the state's financial records more transparent by successfully pushing legislation requiring current and future administrations to post online reports detailing where state money is invested and how it performs compared to standard benchmarks.
- Weathering the 2008 market meltdown as a result of a conservative and diversified investment strategy.
- Introducing innovative investment strategies that brought new revenue to the state, including securities lending, which earned more than $2 million during its first year.
- Addressing the nation's worst unfunded pension liability by successfully drafting legislation that will accelerate paying down Illinois' pension debt and potentially save $16 billion dollars.
- Helping to thaw the credit markets for consumers and increasing the state's rate of return through depositing money in healthy Illinois financial institutions that did not receive federal bailout money.
- Supporting the retention and creation of hundreds of jobs through low-interest business loans and venture capital investments.
- Overhauling Illinois' much criticized Bright Start plan, leading Morningstar to rank it one of the top five college savings plans in the nation and calling it a "Cinderella Story" with lower fees, more investment options and fewer tax penalties.
- Negotiating $3.5 million in privately financed scholarship money that will help thousands of need- and merit-based students attend college. In addition, he established the Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarship accounts for the children of fallen military and National Guard personnel.
- Combating record foreclosure rates in Illinois by creating the Finally Home program, which helps homeowners refinance unaffordable, variable rate mortgages or obtain conventional financing to purchase homes.
- Advocating for green jobs and lifestyles by establishing the nation's largest hybrid vehicle rebate program and creating a low-interest loan program to help businesses, governments and non-profit organizations build or go green.
- Harnessing the power of eBay, generating more revenue for the state and cutting office costs by selling unclaimed property online.
- Ending one of the biggest scandals that tarnished Illinois government for 25 years by taking ownership of two hotels from deadbeat political insiders who owed state taxpayers $60 million in loan and interest payments.
For more information on the campaign:
www.alexiforillinois.com
Updates:
Giannoulias challenges Kirk on China: http://www.alexiforillinois.com/node/3113
Hartmarx lives on: http://www.alexiforillinois.com/node/3109
Giannoulias takes on Cheney: http://www.alexiforillinois.com/node/3103
Giannoulias letter to Wells Fargo CEO: http://www.alexiforillinois.com/node/3085
Giannoulias raises $1.1 million in under a month: http://www.alexiforillinois.com/node/3069
Greek American Governor of Florida, Charlie Christ, declares for U.S. Senate
 May 12, 2009
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Charlie Crist confirmed Tuesday he will run for U.S. Senate instead of re-election next year, a decision that gives Republicans their best shot at maintaining the seat Mel Martinez is leaving after one term.
The race is important to Republicans nationally as they try to keep Democrats from winning or holding a 60-seat majority in the Senate that can overcome GOP filibusters. Senate Democrats now have 59 votes and would reach 60 if Al Franken wins a marathon recount in Minnesota.
Sen. John Cornyn, head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, quickly endorsed Crist as "the best candidate in 2010 to ensure that we maintain the checks and balances that Floridians deserve in the United States Senate. "
The announcement, which had been expected, is also likely to stir up Florida politics as others scramble to replace the popular governor, who was considered a shoo-in had he sought a second term.
"Our country is facing the most profound public policy questions in our lifetime, questions relating to the economy, taxes, healthcare, the environment and national security," Crist said in a statement.
Crist said he intends to take to Washington his Florida approach, that "when we put people first and work together much can be accomplished."
The governor kept his announcement low-key, choosing to issue a statement rather than hold a press conference, even though his official schedule had three media events related to other business. The idea is to project the image that he is focused on his current job rather than already campaigning.
Crist instantly becomes the front-runner in the Senate race. He has maintained approval ratings in the high 60-percent range despite the state's gloomy economy, budget cuts, a high foreclosure rate and the highest unemployment level since 1975. That popularity is credited to an unwavering optimism, bipartisan attitude and the projection of a sense that he cares.
Crist left the state Senate to seek the same U.S. Senate seat in 1998, losing to Democratic incumbent Bob Graham. That race helped Crist build his name recognition and a network that helped him win the next three statewide races he entered — education commissioner in 2000, attorney general in 2002 and governor in 2006.
Crist will have a primary challenger. Former House Speaker Marco Rubio announced his candidacy last week and is expected to try to win over the GOP's conservative base, some of whom may not be happy with Crist's more moderate approach.
Democrats in the race include U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek and state Sen. Dan Gelber, both from Miami-Dade County.
Crist's decision gives Democrats their best chance in more than a decade at winning back some power in Tallahassee. Republicans have controlled the governor's mansion and the Legislature since former Gov. Jeb Bush began the first of his two terms in 1998.
All three of Florida's Cabinet members are expected to get in the race to replace Crist. Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, a Democrat, and Republican Attorney General Bill McCollum would forgo re-election to run for governor. Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson, who under Florida law can't seek a third term, has also said he will get in the race.
If the dominoes fall as expected, all five statewide positions on the 2010 ballot will be open seats.
To learn more, go to campaign website at:
www.charliechrist.com
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