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Alexi Giannoulias reported raising $859,312.64 for the quarter that ended June 30, giving him $2,915,761.69 cash on hand. Rival Anna Valencia reported pulling in $226,273 during the second quarter and had $593,981.36 on hand.

Less than a year out from the Democratic primary, former state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias reported having roughly $3 million in the bank for his bid to succeed outgoing Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White — five times as much as City Clerk Anna Valencia, whose own fund raising puts her second in the battle for campaign contributions.

Giannoulias reported raising $859,312.64 during the quarter that ended June 30, giving him $2,915,761.69 cash on hand, according to a campaign finance report filed with Thursday.

Since the end of June, the former U.S. Senate candidate reported raising another $91,900 — giving him a little over $3 million in his campaign coffers in what’s expected to be a hotly contested race.

“Our end-of-the-quarter fundraising total shows that we have a broad-based coalition of support and a campaign that continues to grow momentum and gain enthusiasm from across the entire State,” Giannoulias said in a statement.

“We’ve been meeting with voters, rolling out progressive policy initiatives and earning support from people who want solutions-driven leadership that brings people together, restores trust in government and delivers results for hard-working families.”

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times file

Valencia reported pulling in $226,273 during the second quarter and had $593,981.36 on hand as of June 30.

Valencia’s campaign is “confident in where we’re at and the momentum that will build toward November 2022,” a spokeswoman said.

“Enthusiasm is building for Anna around the state and we feel confident about the support and direction of this campaign,” the spokeswoman said. “We’re a year away from a vitally important election to determine who has the experience, integrity and proven dedication to public service needed to build upon Secretary White’s important legacy.”

James Foster/For the Sun-Times file

The clerk recently went to California for meetings and a fundraiser hosted by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. Valencia serves on the Accelerator for America National Advisory Council that Garcetti started in 2018. Attendees at the L.A. fundraiser “spoke to the importance of building a bench especially considering there are only 5 statewide Latinas in the country,” Valencia’s spokeswoman said.

Valencia plans to return to Los Angeles for another fundraiser in the fall.

Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) was in third place among candidates seeking to succeed White, reporting $416,381.07 in the bank, while Ald. David Moore (17th) ended the second quarter of the year with $64,219.82 on hand.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia; Rich Hein/Sun-Times file

In a statement released earlier this week, Dowell said she’s “honored that these community and business leaders have committed to help our campaign.

“While I just joined this race only a short time ago, I am humbled by the support and generosity of so many,” Dowell said. “I look forward to more events around the state including the suburbs, southland and the city.”

A spokeswoman for Moore did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

No Republicans have officially entered the race, though state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, has said he is considering doing so.

Most Illinois residents likely know the secretary of state because their name is featured on their driver’s license and vehicle registration, but for politicians the role is one of the most coveted elected offices in Illinois — full of easy publicity, thousands of jobs and the potential to serve as a stepping stone to the governor’s mansion or another, higher office.

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July 15, 2021 at 07:46PM