* Press release…

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., founder and President of Rainbow PUSH Politician will join supporters at St. John AME Cathedral of Grace in Aurora, IL today at 3:00pm to denounce the racist and insensitive campaign tactics of appointed State Representative Barbara Hernandez, (D-83rd). Ms. Hernandez’s campaign has sent out multiple pieces of literature darkening the face of her Democratic Primary opponent, Juan Thomas, and other mailers photo-shopping a MAGA Hat (Make America Great Again) on his head.

“I am truly saddened and disappointed that Ms. Hernandez would allow her campaign to be run by people who would use racist and insensitive tactics to try to create an image of me that distorts my image and lies about my background. What is even more troubling is that Ms. Hernandez has not taken any responsibility for these actions and even went so far as to accuse me of darkening my own face in a recent Facebook post,” said Thomas. In support of Thomas, Rev. Jackson said, “We must win on a fair playing field. We must win with grace and lose and maintain your dignity. We must all be against racial, religious, gender bias or demeaning images.”

“The 83rd District, which includes Aurora and North Aurora, is a very diverse community of Latinos, African Americans, Asians, and whites. Aurora deserves leadership at every level that will work to bring our community together and not play into historical fears of the “scary black man” or fall prey to color-ism,” Thomas continued.

“I wish my opponent and I could debate our ideas for how we will work to improve the quality of life for all of the residents of the 83rd District. Our children are watching and they deserve better than this,” Thomas stated.

* The image in question…

* Rep. Hernandez statement…

I want to address a false accusation that my opponent posted about me on social media.

Mr. Thomas used Photoshop to darken this entire campaign mailer and create a fake narrative to distract from his own record and the right-wing Republicans behind his campaign.

People in our community face real racism on a daily basis and these lies are an insult to their experiences. If Mr. Thomas is willing to lie about something as serious as this, what else will he lie about?

As the daughter of immigrants, I have spent my life standing up for minorities in the face of adversity. I will continue to be a strong voice for minority communities and work to lift us up, not tear us down.

* The image she shared…