SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Nurses Association has endorsed Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia in her bid to be the Democratic nominee for secretary of state in next summer’s primary election, her campaign announced Wednesday morning.

       “Our nurses need the support of strong union allies in office now more than ever as the ongoing pandemic continues to strain our front line workers and health care community,” said Tori Dameron, president of the association, a union that represents thousands of nurses across the state. “Anna Valencia understands that more than any other candidate in this race.”

       Chicago Clerk Anna Valencia, a candidate for Illinois secretary of state, attends the Illinois Democratic County Chair's Association brunch before Governor's Day at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield on Aug. 18, 2021. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

       It’s the latest union endorsement secured by Valencia, who comes from a family of nurses, ahead of the June 28 primary. Her campaign has also been endorsed by the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, Local 2 of the Chicago Fire Fighters Union and the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Administrative District Council 1, among others.

       “For nearly two years now, our nurses have been fighting on the frontlines of an unprecedented health care crisis,” Valencia, alluding to the COVID-19 pandemic, said in a statement. “They are our heroes, and we need to work to protect them the same way they work to protect us and our families.”

       The endorsement comes two days after one of Valencia’s key rivals for the Democratic nomination, Alexi Giannoulias, secured an endorsement from the Illinois Federation of Teachers, giving him an edge over other candidates in getting support from the Illinois AFL-CIO, the state’s largest organized labor group.

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       Giannoulias, who served as state treasurer from 2007 to 2011, also has received endorsements from the Service Employees International Union, the Teamsters and the Laborers, who together represent more than 400,000 workers.

       He and Valencia are seeking the Democratic nomination along with Chicago Aldermen Pat Dowell, 3rd, and David Moore, 17th. Republican state Rep. Dan Brady of Bloomington is seeking the GOP nomination.

       The candidates are vying to replace longtime Secretary of State Jesse White, who is retiring.

       jgorner@chicagotribune.com

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