News: The leader of the Congressional Black Caucus is sending a forceful message to Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker: the group isn’t happy with the governor’s outsized involvement in the state’s Senate race.
The March 17 Democratic primary pits Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) against Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. Krishnamoorthi has a massive cash advantage. Pritzker is bankrolling a pro-Stratton super PAC, while the CBC is standing “firmly” behind Kelly. Both Kelly and Stratton are Black.
CBC Chair Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) issued a strongly worded warning to Pritzker:
“Governor Pritzker’s effort to tip the scales in Illinois’ U.S. Senate race is beyond frustrating for the Congressional Black Caucus. A sitting governor shouldn’t be heavy-handing the race. Quite frankly, his behavior in this race won’t soon be forgotten by any of us.”
Illinois Future PAC is carrying the bulk of the pro-Stratton advertising on TV, spending $11.3 million. Pritzker gave $5 million to the group in December, but it hasn’t had to report its donors for 2026 yet.
Pritzker’s campaign declined to comment. Stratton spokesperson Allison Janowski said the LG was proud to have the support of Pritzker and that she’s “the only candidate in the race with a path to beat her leading opponent Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi.”
It is rare to see a sitting governor take such a direct role in a Senate primary, although let’s be honest here — most governors aren’t billionaires. And Pritzker has a long-running feud with Kelly that came to a head when he deposed her as chair of the Illinois Democratic Party.
There are 2028 implications here as well. Pritzker is eyeing a possible White House run. The CBC can be a powerful force in Democratic presidential primaries.
Some members of the CBC have endorsed Stratton: Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.).
And Stratton’s super PAC is not the only big spender in the race. The pro-crypto network Fairshake has spent $7.6 million on ads helping Krishnamoorthi.
