Chalk up another congressional endorsement for the frontrunner for the Democratic Senate nomination in Illinois, Alexi Giannoulias.
Over the weekend, Rep. Jan Schakowsky became the fifth member of the state's congressional delegation to back him.
"Alexi Giannoulias is the best candidate to retain President Obama's seat because he has the courage to take on powerful interests and stand up for Illinois families," Schakowsky said in a statement. "He supports health-insurance reform that will rein in the soaring costs of premiums and protect families from losing coverage during these difficult economic times."
Schakowsky's endorsement could help Giannoulias among women voters -- no small consideration since a woman, former Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Robinson Jackson, is one of the rivals he will face in the February primary.
Robinson Jackson has the backing of EMILY's List, which provides financial support to female candidates who support abortion rights. Other Democratic candidates are former Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman and attorney Jacob Meister.
Schakowsky also backed Giannoulias when he ran for state treasurer in the 2006 primary against the party's slated candidate, Paul Mangieri.
Also in Giannoulias' camp are Reps. Luis V. Gutierrez, Phil Hare, Bill Foster and Mike Quigley. Reps. Danny K. Davis and Bobby L. Rush are supporting Jackson.
CQ Politics rates the general election race a Tossup.
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