Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, 33, is attempting to make the leap from a state to a federal office in vying for a U.S. Senate seat.He talked with Windy City Times about his decision to run, what he feels is the most important issue for the LGBT community and Obama's handling of gay issues.
Windy City Times: How do you feel that you've grown as a politician since 2006 [ when he was elected state treasurer ] ?
Alexi Giannoulias: I think I've learned a lot more about the challenges and priorities that people throughout the state face. People in central and southern Illinois face different challenges—especially given the difficult times that families face. I've learned that, if you're going to enact change, you have to spend time with working families and small businesses and find out what their challenges are. That is my favorite part of being state treasurer.
WCT: How difficult was it to decide to run?
AG: It was very difficult; I love being state treasurer. But when I think about the enormous challenges we face as a country, I think we need to move this country forward. I think this election will offer voters a stark choice between a failed past and a promising future. Are we going to get independent, fresh, principled leadership in the United States Senate? That's why I'm running.
WCT: One of the criticisms of your campaign is that, if you win the campaign, you could lose the seat to Republican Mark Kirk, if he wins his primary. What's your response?
AG: That's just plain wrong. I'm the only person with a poll showing I can beat Mark Kirk; the others lose to him handily. I know who said that, too, but it's not true.
WCT: What's your take on the Meister/Hoffman controversy?
AG: I wasn't there after the event [ when Meister made the accusation about Hoffman allegedly trumpeting the fact that he's the only married parent among the candidates ] . Hoffman brings up that he is the only married parent—and I can see where Jacob's coming from, but I don't think it's relevant.
WCT: What do you feel is the most important issue for the LGBT community?
AG: I think same-sex marriage is very important, and I'm proud to be the first statewide candidate in the history of Illinois to be in favor of gay marriage.
WCT: Civil unions never entered your mind?
AG: Yes, they entered my mind but marriage is fair. I was raised by my parents to treat everyone equally, and we're all equal in the eyes of God. We should all be equal in the eyes of the law. I really think it's time that we stopped turning this personal issue into a political one, and [ we need to ] stop telling people what kinds of relationships they can enter into.
WCT: As you know, President Obama recently signed a federal hate-crimes law. What was your reaction? Did you think, "It's about time?"
AG: Well, it is about time and I still can't imagine how anyone would vote against it. It's a simple issue: Everyone is entitled to live in dignity without the fear of violence.
WCT: Ever concerned that people might think you're too liberal?
AG: That's for voters to decide. When it comes to an issue like same-sex marriage, marriage is an age-old religious institution. The government has never forced Catholic priests to marry divorced people and will never force Baptist ministers to marry gay people, so we need to respect the rights of religious institutions. But when it comes to what takes place in the eyes of the law, for people to not have certain rights is unfair and against everything that makes this country so great.
WCT: Did you hear about the immigration bill that Congressman [ Luis ] Gutierrez introduced?
AG: I only know a little about it, but I am proud to have the endorsement of Congressman Gutierrez. I'm also proud to be the son of two immigrants, and I'm in favor of a responsible path to citizenship.
WCT: Having Gutierrez's endorsement is going to make the following question more interesting: The bill Gutierrez introduced is somewhat comprehensive, but it does not include gay people—meaning gay people still can't sponsor their partners for permanent residency, which is something straight people can do. What would...
AG: Again, I don't know that much about the details of the bills. I believe that same-sex families should be subject to all the same immigration laws as all American families.
WCT: So you would suggest that to Gutierrez?
AG: Yeah, I'd have a conversation with him, of course.
WCT: How would you grade the president's and Congress' handling of LGBT issues so far?
AG: I try not to get involved in grading people, especially when their terms are not up. I will tell you that, again, I'm proud to be the first [ Illinois' ] candidate to be behind gay marriage; also, we need to immediately repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and DOMA.
WCT: And how do you feel about ENDA [ the Employment Non-Discrimination Act ] ?
AG: I support efforts to prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. That's common sense and fairness.
As state treasurer, I ended years of misguided policy in that office by extending to domestic partners the same benefits married couples receive. We turned that around as soon as I got into office.
WCT: Is there anything to add?
AG: I'm very proud to have the support of people like [ state Rep. ] Greg Harris, [ Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner ] Debra Shore, [ Chicago Alderman ] Tom Tunney and [ state Rep. ] Deb Mell, who believe in my candidacy. This seat is going to be incredibly important; we need someone who believes in fairness and equality.
See www.alexiforillinois.com .
