Endorsed: Alexi Giannoulias
The race for the Illinois Senate seat left open by President Barack Obama between Democrat Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Mark Kirk is one of the most highly contested in the country, and there is considerable controversy surrounding each candidate. Giannoulias, while working for his family bank as a senior loans officer allegedly made millions in loans to Chicago crime figures, and Kirk has admitted to and apologized for considerably embellishing his military service record. For both parties, each Senate seat is crucial to either maintaining or gaining a majority in Congress. In this race, where polling has placed either candidates’ lead within the margin of error, voting will be particularly influential.
While both candidates are flawed, The Daily endorses Giannoulias for the Illinois Senate seat as the best representative of the largely-liberal citizens of Northwestern, Evanston and Illinois. Voting Democrat in this particular race is especially important because when this Senate seat could be the difference between a Democratic and a Republican Senate majority, and The Daily largely disagrees with the decisions that we anticipate would be made by a Republican majority.
The Daily acknowledges that Kirk is a seasoned politician with a real dedication to public service. Kirk’s stance as a moderate Republican in support of environmental issues and military service, regardless of the embellishment scandal, are commendable.
Endorsed: Jan Schakowsky
Based on both her policy stances and the advantages of her incumbency The Daily endorses Jan Schakowsky for the U.S. House of Representatives. Schakowsky was first elected to the House in the 1998 election and has represented the 9th congressional district ever since.
She is a member of the House Democratic leadership, serving as Chief Deputy Whip and as a member of the Steering and Policy and Energy and Commerce committees, as well as the House Select committee on intelligence. In addition to holding a leadership position in Congress, Schakowsky has remained very popular in her district throughout her terms.
Schakowsky is an advocate for women’s issues and immigration reform. In the past, she has been a major player in the healthcare battle, which indicates, even if you disagree with the policy, that she has had an impact on the national political landscape, which is always a desirable quality in a representative.
Endorsed: Pat Quinn
The Daily endorses Quinn for the position. As an incumbent, he has the traditional benefits of experience. His platform as a “strong, outspoken supporter of equal rights for all” is one we avidly support.
Quinn, having served as lieutenant governor under Rod Blagojevich, has been criticized for his connection to the corrupt official. But ample investigation by the FBI have led nowhere and Quinn’s record remains clean.
His opponent, Bill Brady, is a social conservative who believes in teaching intelligent design in schools. He is also committed to writing into legislation a firm definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman. Not only does he reject gay marriage, he even opposes civil unions. Brady’s close-minded LGBT policy is one we find unacceptable.
Despite an anti-incumbent sentiment pervasive throughout politics, Quinn’s experience and progressive social values make him better suited for the position of Illinois governor.
Additionally, the race for Illinois governor is especially important this year because of the impact that the next governor will have over the redrawing of congressional districts that will occur in the next few years.
Editor’s note: Our endorsements were decided by the vote of all Editorial Board members present at a meeting Sunday afternoon.
