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Meister withdraws, endorses Giannoulias
January 31, 2010
For Immediate Release:
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Please Contact Karen Craven, Media Director
(773) 230-8785
karen.craven@meisterforsenate.com
(Chicago) Jacob Meister withdrew his name from consideration for United States Senate Sunday before a crowd of supporters, union members and elected officials at Teamsters Local 705, and announced his support for frontrunner candidate Alexi Giannoulias.
“I entered this race last year because I knew that keeping the discussion on jobs and keeping the seat Blue were of equal importance,” Meister said. “Today we have a candidate who stands above the rest, Alexi Giannoulias will take my 20/20 Vision and use it to benefit all of Illinois.”
Meister said that the upset in Massachusetts followed by the spirit of bipartisanship set forth by the President Obama in his State of the Union this week, prompted him to consider putting his political ambitions aside and do what was in the best interest of the party. Giannoulias agreed to adopt Meister’s 20/20 Vision and burn political capital, if necessary, to advance policies that will bring equal rights to members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities.
“I entered this race because jobs do matter. And Democrats know that better than anyone,” Meister said, and added that he ran on an issue-based progressive platform, but found himself repeatedly being asked to stand up for gay rights. Meister intends to use the momentum from the campaign to work toward a civil rights agenda that promotes policies of equality.
“I am privileged to have heard from so many people throughout Illinois, who understand that to be gay in America without the benefit of inalienable rights, is not to be American,” Meister said. “And I cannot not act on their concerns. So my next step will be to unite those voices into a chorus, through which we will educate the electorate, policymakers and elected officials about the importance of equal rights for all people by moving forward with an agenda that makes no person discriminated for their skin color or sexual orientation.”
Meister, who draws weight and support from a cross-section of voters, including wide support from Illinois’ LGBT community, became the state’s first openly-gay candidate to run for the United States senate. Meister was grateful for the opportunity because he was able to share the message of rebuilding Illinois’ economy, creating sustainable jobs, delivering equality for all and providing every American his and her rightful access to health care.
“Tonight I can sleep in good conscience knowing that I have handed my reins, my supporters, and my policies over to someone who knows that a democracy that discriminates against one; discriminates against all,” Meister said. “As I make way for Alexi to continue this fight, I am grateful to have a new ally in the struggle for equality for all Americans, and together we can deliver those rights to those who have waited too long for their arrival.”
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