From a Friend of McHenry County Blog:
Jonathan Jackson And Other Black Lawmakers Buck Pritzker
18 members of the Congressional Black Caucus have endorsed Robin Kelly (IL-2) for U.S. Senate.
One of them is Jonathan Jackson (IL-1).
Jonathan Jackson is the brother of Robin Kelly’s House predecessor Jesse Jackson Jr. and the son of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson.
Kelly was the first Democratic challenger to emerge against Governor JB Pritzker’s handpicked candidate Juliana Stratton, who has largely been hidden from the public much like Kamala Harris and Joe Biden.
Since Kelly’s announcement, Raja Krishnamoorthi — also a member of the U.S. House of Representatives — has jumped in the race for Dick Durbin’s seat too.
Kelly started her campaign with about 2 million dollars on hand; Krishnamoorthi started with about 19.4 million; Stratton will presumably have some of Pritzker’s money which could be a lot.
Kelly started her campaign with about 2 million dollars on hand; Krishnamoorthi started with about 19.4 million; Stratton will presumably have some of Pritzker’s money which could be a lot.
Polls show Kelly being the biggest underdog in the Democratic primary, but that does not mean she should be disregarded.
She has been in politics for a long time and part of her strategy is to secure support from powerful Democrats in populous Cook County where she has deep roots.
Kelly seems well respected among gun control advocates, black women, senior citizens, and the LGBT.
She is considered more progressive than her colleagues Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lauren Underwood by multiple sources.
Despite being from Cook County, Kelly’s district includes much rural area and she often addresses issues important to rural voters such as agriculture, healthcare, internet access, and transportation.
The press release from some members of the Congressional Black Caucus is pasted below.
CONGRESSWOMAN ROBIN KELLY ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENT OF 18 MEMBERS OF CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS
PARK FOREST, IL – Today, Congresswoman Robin Kelly announced that 18 Members of Congress of the Congressional Black Caucus have endorsed her campaign to succeed Senator Dick Durbin in the United States Senate. The members include Representatives Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Andre Carson (IN-07), Troy Carter (LA-02), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), and Jahana Hayes (CT-05).
“I’m honored to have the support of so many colleagues who I have worked closely with in Congress to deliver for families,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly. “We are in a moment that demands tough leaders with proven experience, who can stand up to Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and MAGA Republicans and fight back as they target Illinoisans’ Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, and drive up costs. I never back down from a fight, and I’m proud to have the support of my colleagues who know that I can get the job done.” Robin’s House of Representatives colleagues endorsing her today have seen up close her proven record of delivering results from Illinoisans. In Congress, Robin has been a relentless advocate for gun violence prevention, leading a sit-in on the House floor to protest inaction on gun violence and co-sponsored landmark legislation protecting victims of domestic violence. Her efforts helped pass the most significant gun violence prevention legislation in 30 years. Robin has also championed closing gaps in maternal health care, passing a law to dramatically expand Medicaid postpartum coverage to a full year. In the Senate, Robin will continue fighting to make Illinois safer from crime and gun violence, lower costs for families, and tackle health inequities.
(END)
The list does not represent the entire Congressional Black Caucus, but about a third of it.
Danny Davis and Lauren Underwood from Illinois were notably missing.
Underwood is said to be thinking about running; she and Krishnamoorthi have been polling the highest among Democratic primary voters.
But these endorsements of Kelly from members of the Congressional Black Congress could now give Underwood pause.
Or her absence from the list could be a sign that she will run.
She is popular with women and especially younger voters, being a Millennial herself.
Underwood is liked by grassroots activists yet she is labelled more “pragmatic” than members of the Squad which gives her robust appeal across the Democrats’ political spectrum.
If she entered, there would be three African-American women.
Raja Krishnamoorthi is most appealing to the quickly growing Asian demographic and moderates.
State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has declined to run, and Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is a rumored candidate for Chicago mayor in 2027.
There is a strong possibility that the Democratic Party will have zero white candidates trying to replace Dick Durbin, a white man.
Krishnamoorthi could have an open lane by speaking to white men who feel forgotten in today’s Democratic Party.
Krishnamoorthi has been upselling the fact that he is originally from Peoria.
He has already gone to central Illinois and even launched his campaign from his childhood home.
The real antagonism, however, is perhaps not along lines of ideology, race, gender, or age but rather the proxy war between Pritzker and everybody else.
The real story may not be exactly who wins but whether it is Stratton or anybody else.
This election is an important moment for Pritzker on the national stage because if he can’t convince people in his own state to trust his instincts about federal lawmaking, it will bode poorly for his 2028 aspiration to become president.
Therefore, the primary will receive national attention.
Allegations that Pritzker is trying to dissuade challengers from running caused immediate and harsh backlash.
Pritzker denied it, but he has been known to lie (especially about lowering property taxes and gerrymandering).
The Chicago Tribune took Pritzker to the woodshed.
As seen with Jonathan Jackson and 17 other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, there is a willingness to buck Pritzker.
How many other Illinois Democrats will follow Jackson’s lead?
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The Tribune ran a page 3 story on Kelly today:
