EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Congressional Black Caucus is taking aim at Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton — and Gov. JB Pritzker. The caucus endorsed incumbent member U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. And in a statement to Punchbowl News, the caucus said they are not happy to see Pritzker financially supporting his governing partner over their member.
“A sitting governor shouldn’t be heavy-handing the race. Quite frankly, his behavior in this race won’t soon be forgotten,” Caucus Chair U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., said.
PRITZKER’S RESPONSE: “I just want the best person. She happens to be a black woman and by the way, I think I've proven for many years now that I stand with communities of color across the state and with candidates who are running for public office.”
Should Stratton get elected to the Senate, she would likely become a member of the Black Caucus. She said she’s not dwelling on the statement.
STRATTON’S VIEW: “I can't speak to their motivations,” Stratton told reporters Tuesday. “It sounds like they are supporting their colleague, but I'm going to stay focused on what I need to focus on for the next two weeks.”
RAJA'S RESPONSE: "Stratton’s shameless hypocrisy is exactly why people hate politics: She condemns corporate PAC money but has accepted nearly a quarter of a million dollars in corporate contributions and illegally funneled them into her Senate campaign," Krishnamoorthi's spokesperson Hannah Goss said in a statement. "She condemns MAGA money, but one of her top backers is funded by a longtime ICE contractor. And now, she condemns super PACs while relying on them to boost her Senate bid."
NEW NEGATIVE ADS: The Indian American Impact Fund, which endorsed U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi in the race, is out with a new ad supporting him and Kelly.
“What's clearly happening is that Congressman Krishnamoorthi and his allies ... are panicking because we've closed the gap, because we have the momentum, because we have a message that is resonating with the voters,” Stratton said. “And I think this is just another example of doing whatever he can to try to distract from the fact that he does not have a winning message in this race.”
From Capitol News Insider: Does Stratton have the momentum?
