Alexi Caught Out Already

Illinois GOP:Giannoulias Suggests He Opposes Union, Special Interest Money

But Records Show He Already Accepted Such Contributions

CHICAGO – The Illinois Republican Party today blasted State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias for suggesting he would reject all special interest campaign contributions while accepting such contributions at the same time.

In his announcement speech on Sunday, Giannoulias said his campaign would not accept any contributions from corporate political action committees (PACs) or federal lobbyists. Appearing yesterday morning on WLS’ Don Wade and Roma program (key quote at 4:34), Giannoulias went further and suggested he opposed all special interest money, including union and trial lawyer support.

Alexi: So I’m also proud to be the first candidate running for the U.S. Senate in the history of the state of Illinois not to take money from lobbyists or from corporate PACs…

Roma: In that spirit of swearing off corporate PACs and lobbyist contributions, what about all special interest money, from unions, from trial lawyers, from, zero PAC money, is that something that you think politicians should all do?

Alexi: I personally do.

But according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics, Giannoulias already accepted union and special interest PAC contributions to his Senate exploratory committee. Additionally, Illinois state records show Giannoulias’ state campaign committee accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from corporate PACS, unions and special interest since 2006.

“Like Rod Blagojevich before him, Alexi Giannoulias launched his campaign pledging reform – but his actions speak louder than words,” ILGOP Spokesman Lance Trover said. “As if gambling away $85 million in Bright Start children’s education savings while skimming money for his own SUV wasn’t bad enough, Alexi Giannoulias is blatantly misleading voters about his campaign contributions."

"The people of Illinois deserve better than another Blagojevich Democrat like Alexi Giannoulias speaking out of both sides of his mouth" added Trover.