PEORIA - Paul Mangieri, a Democratic candidate for state treasurer, vowed not to spend any more campaign money at Wal-Mart following a demand by his opponent Thursday to explain the $1,300 he spent at the "anti-union company that routinely ships American jobs overseas."
At a news conference in Peoria Thursday, primary opponent Alexi Giannoulias, vice president and senior loan officer of Broadway Bank in Chicago, said the campaign money Mangieri spent at the Galesburg Wal-Mart was a "slap in the face to the working men and women of our state."
When first told of the announcement, Mangieri, currently the Knox County state's attorney, declared, "I think we're into the silly season now."
"My opponent is just jealous because I've been endorsed by the (Illinois) AFL-CIO and just about every other union and he has been endorsed by none," Mangieri said, adding, "He's the son of a millionaire. His idea of discount shopping is going to Gucci."
But when told officials at the Illinois AFL-CIO were also disappointed that he used campaign cash at Wal-Mart, Mangieri said he would be more considerate as to where he shops.
Mangieri's financial records show he spent the campaign money on supplies, promotional items, food and parade candy between 2002 and 2005.
"If it's of concern on any level, we will ensure that not only will we buy 100 percent American-made products, but we will only purchase from union stores," Mangieri said.
He also said he would consider donating the same amount of money to organizations aimed at helping Wal-Mart workers unionize, a suggestion endorsed by the Illinois AFL-CIO.
Of course we're disappointed that any dollars were spent at Wal-Mart by a candidate we endorsed, but that was a couple of years ago and we're hopeful he won't do it again," said Beth Spencer, spokeswoman for the organization.
She added that the AFL-CIO is sticking with its endorsement of Mangieri regardless, noting that members were proud of past positions he has taken as an elected official.
Giannoulias, who does not shop at Wal-Mart, said he's glad to see Mangieri has decided to do the right thing by ending his Wal-Mart shopping sprees.
He retorted, "Maybe he's jealous of me being an experienced financial manager and the only people who have endorsed him have been forced to endorse him."
