Wednesday, September 23, 2009

SEIU endorses Giannoulias for Senate

A lot can happen in the next five months, but it looks likely that Republican Mark Kirk, a North Shore congressman, will face Chicago Democrat Alexi Giannoulias, the state treasurer, for the open US Senate seat in Illinois.

The Service Employees International Union, whose membership rolls are dominated by government workers, will announce its endorsement of Giannoulias at a press conference this morning, according to Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, who said it was a "nice boost" to the campaign. He adds:

The endorsement has been expected. But even with federal limits on direct contributions, SEIU is well-organized and, one way or the other, can use its 170,000 members to help its chosen candidates.

The union probably is best known locally for having been a huge financial supporter of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who used its funds to overpower the GOP nominee in 2006, Judy Baar Topinka. It also played a major role in the last city elections, funding and electing several aldermen in a campaign energized by debate over Wal-Mart's entry into the city.

It may not look like a "nice boost" next fall. As I've stated as recently as three days ago, political activity by SEIU can be summed up this way: Government workers conspiring for more government at the expense of taxpayer interests. The president of SEIU, Andy Stern, bragged a few months ago that he spent $60.7 million to elect Barack Obama president. Stern is on ACORN's advisory board, and keep in mind, ACORN is a group most voters hadn't heard of just a few weeks ago.

Will SEIU be a household name in 2010?

Closer to home, Chicago News Bench has documented the cozy ties between SEIU and ACORN.

Related SEIU posts:

More SEIU chicanery: Kansas this time
SEIU and AFSCME setting up potential wedge between family members SEIU prez: Union spent $60.7 million to elect Obama
Blagojevich and union "card check"

Related Giannoulias posts:

Hannity's report on Alexi Giannoulias
Banking headaches for Alexi Giannoulias and kin
Alexi Giannoulias: Not so transparent
Likely Senate candidate Giannoulias kowtows to SEIU
Just as with mob loans, Giannoulias quiet about SUV purchased from money losing state investment fund
Obama's Chicago skeletons: Rezko and Broadway Bank
Obama's "sweetheart" mortgage: Was the competing lender Broadway Bank?
Obama, Alexi, and Broadway Bank
Coincidences and the Las Vegas Rezko arrest warrant
Obama's state treasurer pal needs a memory upgrade

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