2010, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) endorsed Giannoulias, calling him "a strident supporter of LGBT equality – including supporting marriage equality, repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and supporting an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act." Among his early endorsers were James Houlihan and Manny Flores. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, the Assistant Majority Leader and second-highest ranking Democrat in the Senate, endorsed Giannoulias and served as the chairman of the Giannoulias campaign. President Obama expressed his support of Giannoulias' Senate bid and joined him on the campaign trail. Controversies During Giannoulias' bid for the senate he faced attacks on his credibility, mostly stemming from his connection to his family owned bank. Broadway bank was shuttered and seized by the federal government and was alleged to have ties to the mafia. However, Giannoulias opponent, Congressman Mark Kirk, faced his own slew of controversies regarding his military service. Defeat On November 2nd 2010 Congressman Mark Kirk beat Alexi Giannoulias for Illinois' open United States Senate seat with 48% of the vote, beating former Treasurer Giannoulias by a margin of 2% 2022 Illinois Secretary of State campaign Giannoulias announced he would run for Illinois Secretary of State to succeed retiring incumbent Jesse White. On June 28, 2022, he won the Democratic primary On November 8, 2022, Giannoulias won the general election, defeating Republican Dan Brady. References External links Illinois Secretary of State – official website Campaign website Alexi for Senate Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org |- |- |- |- 1976 births American bankers American men's basketball players American people of Greek descent Basketball players from Illinois Boston University Terriers men's basketball players Illinois Democrats Illinois lawyers Latin School of Chicago alumni Living people Schools of the Sacred Heart alumni Panionios B.C. players Politicians from Chicago Secretaries of State of Illinois State treasurers of Illinois Tulane University Law School alumni