Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus criticized Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker after Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the Democratic primary for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat, arguing his financial muscle and political involvement disadvantaged Rep. Robin Kelly, a fellow caucus member who finished behind Stratton and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s support for Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton helped power her to victory in the Democratic primary for Illinois’ open U.S. Senate seat, a result that drew sharp criticism from some members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and highlighted potential friction for Pritzker as he is discussed as a possible 2028 presidential contender.
Stratton won the Democratic nomination in the March 17 primary in a crowded field that included U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly. Multiple reports described Stratton finishing first, with Krishnamoorthi second and Kelly third. (apnews.com)
Pritzker, a billionaire who has long been expected to play a major financial role in the race, contributed $5 million to Illinois Future PAC, a super PAC backing Stratton. The expenditure became a focal point for CBC leaders who accused the governor of using outsized influence in a contest involving a sitting member of the caucus. (apnews.com)
CBC Chair Rep. Yvette Clarke said Pritzker’s effort to “tip the scales” in the primary was “beyond frustrating,” warning that his actions would not be quickly forgotten. (uk.news.yahoo.com)
The dispute also revived older tensions inside Illinois Democratic politics. In 2022, Pritzker backed efforts that culminated in Kelly ending her bid for a second term as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois, clearing the way for state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez to take the role. (chicago.suntimes.com)
Pritzker’s spokesperson, Jordan Abudayyeh, defended the governor’s decision to support Stratton, saying he backed his lieutenant governor as a governing partner with whom he has worked closely for years. (uk.news.yahoo.com)
Stratton’s nomination positions her to become one of the relatively small number of Black women ever elected to the U.S. Senate if she wins in November, with Illinois widely viewed as a Democratic-leaning state in federal races. (apnews.com)
Other quoted remarks attributed in some accounts to Reps. Bennie Thompson, Joyce Beatty, Gregory Meeks and Steven Horsford, as well as commentary attributed to former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun about caucus dynamics, could not be independently confirmed from the additional publicly available reporting reviewed for this fact-check.
