Republican Bill Brady Concedes Defeat to Pat Quinn

Labor-Friendly Leader to Begin First Full Term as Illinois Governor

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Working families across Illinois scored a major victory as Republican Bill Brady conceded the governor’s race to Pat Quinn in a press conference on November 5, 2010.

“The people of Illinois have spoken,” said John T. Coli, President of Teamsters Joint Council 25, “and now is the time to help Gov. Quinn move this state forward for so many hardworking men and women.”

Brady said he called Gov. Quinn to congratulate him on his victory and offered to work with the governor “to help make the state as great as it can be.”

At the time of Brady’s afternoon concession, Gov. Quinn led his GOP challenger by more than 19,000 votes, with 1.7 million ballots cast for the Democrat statewide. While absentee and provisional mail-in ballots from Chicago and Cook County residents were still being recorded, the Quinn campaign acknowledged the incumbent’s lead was all but insurmountable.

“I have found in Illinois that after elections, people, even if they are on the other side, understand that our state comes first,” said Gov. Quinn. “Now that the election is over, it’s time for us all to work together.”

As the first union to endorse Gov. Quinn, Joint Council 25 worked closely with the campaign for more than a year to secure victory for the governor. On Election Day, hundreds of Teamster volunteers operated throughout Cook County to reach out to voters directly, while manning phone banks and distributing handbills in support of the labor-friendly leader.

Following Gov. Quinn’s victory in the February primary, the Teamsters laid significant foundations for field operations in and around Chicago. As early as May, Teamster volunteers began housewalks for Gov. Quinn throughout northern Illinois, with groups of 15-20 members knocking on doors and educating voters each week. Over a six-month period, Joint Council 25 coordinated canvases with the Quinn campaign to reach more than 30,000 households countywide. Teamsters from the Joint Council’s 20 affiliated local unions participated in dozens of housewalks leading up to November.

“As Pat Quinn works to improve the lives of Illinois residents over the next four years, the Teamsters are eager to develop an even greater partnership with the governor to protect our members,” said Coli. “Between his work for military families, his commitment to new construction and his signing of the state’s first capital bill in a decade, Gov. Quinn has proven he will support working families and lead Illinois in a better direction.”

Teamsters Joint Council 25 represents more than 100,000 hardworking men and women throughout Illinois and Indiana.

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