Democratic Congressman Luis Gutierrez has endorsed state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (jeh-NOO'-lee-ehs) for President Barack Obama's former Senate seat.
Gutierrez said in a statement Sunday that he's supporting Giannoulias because he consistently fights for the middle class and puts people before special interests.
He credited the Democratic treasurer with saving 1,000 jobs at suitmaker Hartmarx and helping employees at a shuttered Chicago factory get their back wages and benefits.
More than 100 elected officials have endorsed Giannoulias.
He's one of the Democrats who wants Obama's old seat in the Senate. Sen. Roland Burris currently holds the seat, but he isn't running for a full term. The primary is in February.