# SEIU backs Giannoulias over Johnson feud

> SEIU unions drop Brandon Johnson after feud over teacher assistant contracts.
- Title: SEIU backs Giannoulias over Johnson feud · Chicago Sun-Times
- Summary: SEIU unions drop Brandon Johnson after feud over teacher assistant contracts. SEIU Locals 1 and 73 endorse Alexi Giannoulias for Chicago mayor after conflict…
- Keywords: seiu, seiu local 1, seiu local 73, alex giannoulias, brandon johnson, chicago mayoral race, teacher assistant contracts, union endorsement, news, local, backs, Giannoulias
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2026/10/20/seiu-endorses-alexi-giannoulias-mayoral-race-brandon-johnson
- Published: 2026-10-20T15:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: seiu, seiu local 1, seiu local 73, alex giannoulias, brandon johnson, chicago mayoral race, teacher assistant contracts, union endorsement, news, local
## SEIU unions split from Johnson
SEIU Locals 1 and 73 dropped Brandon Johnson after a feud over teacher assistant contracts.
## Giannoulias gets key endorsement
SEIU Locals 1 and 73 endorsed Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias for mayor.
## Johnson's campaign war chest
Giannoulias has a $19.2 million campaign war chest versus Johnson's $379,471 cash on hand.
## SEIU donated to Johnson
SEIU affiliates donated over $4.5 million to Johnson's 2023 mayoral campaign.
## SEIU provided campaign workers
SEIU provided scores of campaign workers and materials for Johnson's campaign.
## SEIU's feud with CTU
SEIU accused Chicago Teachers Union of crafting contracts that would train teacher assistants to do SEIU work.
## SEIU Local 73's stance
SEIU Local 73 President Dian Palmer said Johnson didn't call back after asking him to stand down.
## SEIU's job raid issue
SEIU wanted mayor to remain neutral on teacher assistant contract disputes.
## Johnson's loan decision
Johnson pushed for a $175 million pension loan that triggered Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez's firing.
## SEIU's new PAC
SEIU created Brighter Futures PAC to help elect SEIU-backed school board candidates.
## SEIU's membership size
SEIU Locals 1 and 73 represent 50,000 Chicago employees including 18,000 at CPS.
## Johnson's response
Johnson's senior adviser said his record of supporting workers speaks for itself.
## SEIU's trust issue
SEIU members believe Giannoulias will be fairer than Johnson on labor issues.
## SEIU's next move
SEIU will likely support Giannoulias in Chicago mayoral race after splitting from Johnson.
## Key takeaway

SEIU Locals 1 and 73 endorse Alexi Giannoulias for Chicago mayor after conflict with Brandon Johnson over teacher assistant contracts.