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Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Monday sought to deflect criticism about his $20 million campaign fund stocked with six-figure contributions from wealthy Republican donors by highlighting the support he's received from several unions.

The mayor joined members of a union representing hospitality workers to watch a series of new "Rahm Love" TV ads the union has started to air.

The event, held at the union's Loop office, came as Emanuel has continued to collect large campaign contributions. During a single day last week, the mayor reported raising $1.2 million, and this month Republican billionaire Ken Griffin gave $500,000 to an Emanuel-aligned super political action committee that has been airing attack ads against challenger Jesus "Chuy" Garcia.

Emanuel has raised more than $20 million compared with about $3.2 million for Garcia, who has suggested the mayor is trying to buy the election. Garcia frequently references a Beatles song when taking shots at the mayor's fundraising, saying, "Money can't buy you love."

Asked Monday to address the large sums he's raised, including some from Griffin, Emanuel sought to convey that his campaign also is supported by everyday Chicagoans.

"None of these people look like Ken Griffin to me. They look like people who are building a Chicago," Emanuel said of the hospitality workers he had just finished visiting. "These are the people that make sure Chicago wins."

Emanuel then tried to offset his support from wealthy business owners and Wall Street investment executives with the backing he's received from several unions.

"While you may want to say Ken Griffin or other people, then you have to also include all the members of (the hospitality workers union), all the members of the carpenters union, all the members of the electrician workers, all the Teamsters, all the laborers, all the bricklayers, all the painters and the thousands of people who are building a new Chicago," Emanuel said. "They are not from the 1 percent, but I'll tell you who they are. They're Chicago's future."

Emanuel rarely uses the term "1 percent," as it alludes to the "Mayor 1 Percent" nickname that opponents gave him.

Griffin, estranged wife Anne Dias Griffin and employees of his trading firm Citadel have contributed more than $1.3 million to the mayor's campaign and the Emanuel-aligned super PAC Chicago Forward since 2010. Griffin also has been a major backer of Gov. Bruce Rauner, contributing $4.9 million to the Republican's campaign and another $8 million since the governor's election.

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Emanuel tries to counter Republican donor criticism with 'love' ads