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After Senate loss, Giannoulias to write book on campaigning
By Mitch Dudek Jan 21, 2011 7:14PM
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Former state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, who recently lost his U.S.
Senate race to Republican Mark Kirk, left for South America Thursday
to write a book.

“The book is going to be about campaigning in this day and age and the
importance of young people getting involved and my thoughts on
partisan politics and why it’s bad for our country,” said Giannoulias.

“I’ve jotted down notes and I’ve been talking to a publisher, but we
haven’t signed anything yet. I haven’t written a page yet,” said
Giannoulias.

Giannoulias will live in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and plans to focus
on writing, but will also work with Heifer International on
microfinance lending to small female-owned businesses.

“They’ll be small loans to impoverished people in Argentina, Chile and
Uruguay — people who need $20 or $50 to set up a small business or buy
inventory for their business.”

Giannoulias, who speaks little Spanish, will to stop in Brazil on his
way to Argentina to work with the Red Cross to help victims of recent
mudslides.

Giannoulias, who plans to return to Chicago in March, says living in
Buenos Aires is something he’s always wanted to do, but he didn’t
hatch the plan until after the Senate loss.

When he returns, Giannoulias says he plans to get into the clean
energy field — possibly by raising private equity.

“And I also really want to do some teaching, probably at one of the
universities. I’ve had some offers from a couple schools and we are
continuing to have conversations,” said Giannoulias.

Giannoulias, who left Thursday afternoon, is packing light and plans
to find a friendly basketball court when he gets to Argentina.

As for politics: Giannoulias says he hasn’t spoken to Kirk since the
their post-election meeting at the Billy Goat. “But I told him I was
available if he needed me.”

And as for Giannoulias’ name on a future ballot: “I don’t know. Most
likely — but I don’t want to be one of those guys who runs for office
just to run for office because he thinks he can win. I don’t have to
run for office. I could work on campaign finance reform or a number of
other things. I think politics is a great avenue for people who really
care. And I know that sounds cheesy, but I really feel it from the
bottom of my heart.

“But, right now I don’t have anything circled.”


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Eric D. Schwerin
Rosemont Seneca Partners
(202) 333-1880
eschwerin@rosemontseneca.com