SEIU endorses Robin Kelly as the 'clear choice to represent working families'

The Illinois State Council of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) today endorsed Robin Kelly for Congress for the 2nd Illinois Congressional district to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Jesse Jackson Jr.

The Illinois State Council said that Ms. Kelly is the "clear choice" for working families, adding that Robin Kelly has the passion and commitment to fight to rebuild the middle class and provide opportunity for all Americans. SEIU represents over 16,000 workers in the 2nd Illinois Congressional district and will be encouraging voters to support Robin Kelly for the special election on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013.

Tom Balanoff, President of the SEIU Illinois State Council said, "We are proud to endorse Robin Kelly for Congress today. It is abundantly clear that Ms. Kelly is without question the best candidate and the right leader to fight for working families in the second district.

"Robin Kelly is a strong advocate and will be a partner alongside President Obama to help enact a bold agenda to put Americans back to work and to strengthen our communities. Working families and small businesses within her district will benefit immensely from her leadership," said Balanoff who, like Robin Kelly is both a personal and political friend of President Barack Obama.

Last week SEIU released a radio ad opposing Debbie Halvorson based on her anti-worker voting record. She voted against extending unemployment insurance for workers who had lost their jobs and voted with Congressional Republicans 88 times. Halvorson also opposed making the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share when she voted to ensure couples with estates worth more than $10 million would continue to pay a lower tax rate. The ad is still airing on urban radio stations and can be viewed here: http://action.seiu.org/page/content/yes-radio/

April Verrett, the Executive Vice President of SEIU Healthcare Illinois and Indiana, said: "Robin Kelly shares our values and has the right vision for our communities. She understands that we must protect and invest in the middle class, as well as tackle our nation's growing income inequality problem. We are proud to stand with her and urge all voters in the second district to support Robin Kelly on election day."

Just yesterday, Robin Kelly received the endorsements of her one-time opponent in the race, Illinois State Senator Toi Hutchinson and her former boss, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

In addition, to the endorsements of the SEIU, Toi Hutchinson and Toni Preckwinkel, Robin Kelly was recently also endorsed by Congresswomen Jan Schakowsky. Robin Kelly has also been endorsed by a growing list of Congressional, state, and community leaders who have thrown their support behind Robin Kelly. Just this last week, Robin Kelly was endorsed by two of Schakowsky’s colleagues, Congressmen Danny Davis and Bobby Rush.

Robin Kelly also received the coveted endorsement of the Chicago Tribune. She was also recently endorsed by over 100 ministers. who are members of the International Ministers & Community Alliance at the Holy Zion Church in Chicago.

In another important endorsement that continues to pay dividends for the Robin Kelly campaign just ten days ago, Markos Moulitsas of the Daily Kos endorsed Robin Kelly for Congress in a move that solidifies her standing as the "true" progressive in the race for the Illinois 2nd Congressional district. Markos Moulitsas is "the leading" progressive voice in America and the Daily Kos is "the leading" progressive platform in America.

Markos Moulitsas says that to help deal a blow to the NRA's continued power in Congress, The Daily Kos is enthusiastically supporting Robin Kelly in the upcoming Illinois 2nd Congressional District primary. Markos says that you can help by contributing $3 (or more!) to her campaign.

The amount of money raised is edging close to $100,000, with nearly 5,173 individual donors have given close to $118,506 to the Robin Kelly for Congress campaign through the Act Blue website.

In addition, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Super PAC, Independence USA, has poured nearly two million dollars into the race. The momentum is moving toward the Robin Kelly campaign and overwhelming her opponents campaigns.

Robin Kelly is the only candidate in the race to issue a five-point pledge to combat gun violence.

• Pass a strong, comprehensive ban on assault weapons.

• Eliminate the gun show loophole.

• Ban the use of high capacity ammunition magazines, like those used in Newtown and Aurora.

• Pledge never to receive support from organizations, like the NRA, that oppose reasonable gun safety legislation.

• Support current laws that prohibit conceal and carry permits.

Send John Presta an email and your story ideas at johnpresta@att.net.

John is the author of an award-winning book, the 2010 Winner of the USA National Best Book award for African-American studies, published by The Elevator Group Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots: How Barack Obama, Two Bookstore Owners, and 300 Volunteers did it. Also available an eBook on Amazon. John is also a member of the Society of Midland Authors and is a book reviewer of political books for the New York Journal of Books. John has volunteered for many political campaigns and is currently an unpaid volunteer for the Robin Kelly for Congress campaign. Robin Kelly also has a facebook fan page.