llinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D) will formally enter the race for the U.S. Senate this weekend, reports the Chicago Tribune, "already having raised raised more than $1.8 million through an exploratory committee."
"Giannoulias, a wealthy family banking heir who helped
President Barack Obama develop seed money for Obama's winning 2004
Senate race, instantly becomes the leading contender in February's
Democratic primary -- though others are weighing a bid."