Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias brought his two-day old Senate campaign to the Quad-Cities on Tuesday, blaming the economic recession on Republicans who controlled the federal government the past eight years.

Giannoulias, who is in his first term as treasurer, invoked President Barack Obama's name on several occasions as he told people at a Rock Island union hall he will "stand up" to the special interests.

"The policies they forced on the American people for nearly a decade killed millions of jobs, helped the few that are rich, hurt the many that are poor and drove our nation into the deepest economic recession in 75 years," Giannoulias said.

Giannoulias is seeking to replace U.S. Sen. Roland Burris, who was appointed to the president's Senate seat.

Burris has said he won't run for the job next year.

Since announcing his campaign Sunday, the 33-year-old Democrat has tied himself closely to Obama. He even referred to the Quad-Cities as "the Quads," a name Obama used often when he represented the area.

Republicans, on the other hand, have tried to link him to ousted former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Giannoulias has some influential allies here.

U.S. Rep. Phil Hare, D-Ill., has endorsed him, and several county and state legislative officials were on hand for his visit to the Laborer's Local 309 hall in Rock Island.

"We think Alexi is the candidate who will stand up for labor," said Pat O'Brien, Hare's district director.

Giannoulias weighed in to help Seaford Clothing, of Rock Island, in its fight to stay open when bankruptcy threatened it.

Cheryle Jackson, president of the Chicago Urban League and a spokesperson for Blagojevich in his first term, also has been mentioned as a potential Democratic suitor.

She has made no announcement.

Republican congressman Mark Kirk, who represents a suburban Chicago district, has said he, too, will seek the Senate seat.

Giannoulias, while not mentioning him by name, referred to Kirk on Tuesday.

He said the Republican talks about reform but takes millions in donations from corporate interests.

The Illinois Republican Party, meanwhile, blasted Giannoulias for taking donations from lawyers and union PACs, but saying in a radio interview that he'd favor all politicians swearing off special interest donations.

"Like Rod Blagojevich before him, Alexi Giannoulias launched his campaign pledging reform - but his actions speak louder than words," said Illinois GOP spokesman Lance Trover.

"The difference is we don't take money from PACs that are for-profit," Giannoulias said.

The Center for Responsive Politics, a non-partisan watchdog, said Giannoulias has raised $7,000 from labor PACs. Overall, he's raised $1.8 million.

The primary will be in February.