Illinois Future PAC released a new television ad, Sold Us Out, making Raja Krishnamoorthi’s ten-year record of selling out Illinoisans clear and responding to misleading attacks from his stalled U.S. Senate campaign.
The ad highlights Krishnamoorthi’s decade long record of accepting campaign donations from an ICE contractor while repeatedly voting to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement. During a period when immigrant communities in Chicago were facing aggressive raids and family separations under Donald Trump, Krishnamoorthi continued taking that money and even voted to honor ICE.
The new ad comes as Krishnamoorthi’s campaign escalates negative and misleading television attacks, a move that reflects his inability to defend his own record and failure to climb in the polls despite millions in spending.
Raja Krishnamoorthi is trying to distract voters with dishonest and desperate attacks while Juliana Stratton has a strong record of action in defending Illinois values. As Lieutenant Governor, Juliana has consistently stood with immigrant families, opposed Trump’s cruel immigration agenda, and worked with Gov. Pritzker to make Illinois a firewall of protections against federal overreach. She has been a clear, vocal advocate for humane immigration policies and a partner to community leaders fighting back against ICE abuses.
Today, one of the two dark-money super PACs backing Juliana Stratton – which earlier this year got caught violating “federal disclosure requirements” to mislead Illinois voters – released yet another misleading ad. The super PAC’s new spot aims to distract voters from Stratton’s hypocritical record of accepting corporate and MAGA money, relying on ICE contractor donations to boost her Senate bid, and getting caught breaking federal law.
“Raja Krishnamoorthi is an immigrant who has fought like hell to rein in ICE and hold Donald Trump and his roving gangs accountable. Stratton’s dark money super PAC – which has already gotten caught misleading Illinois voters – is trying to distract from the fact that she is backed by MAGA donors and ICE contractors who helped run the Broadview ICE facility. Illinoisans cannot trust Juliana Stratton or her super PAC friends,” said Raja for Illinois spokesperson Hannah Goss.
We’ve reached the long expected part of the campaign where Raja and Juliana kick the crud out of each other, which results in Robin Kelly moving up in the polls.
A Super PAC puts out an ad complaining about a candidate’s contributions. I feel like American politics has reached peak ridiculousness…and then maybe gone a little farther.
I like Raja, but I don’t think I’m going to see any actual change on healthcare, which is important to me. Stratton seems like a want to be member or the Squad, and that turns me off (along with her paper thing political resume). Not a huge fan of Robin Kelly, but she seems to be the best option, which is unfortunate. She’s got too much baggage with Jackson Jr., Peotone airport and her age, but she seems like the most effective of the bunch.
He said she said. As long as the point levels are semi-even, and with 20 days left, it is not going to move that many to give her a win. I agree, Robin is the biggest beneficiary.
Laid it out clearly, and presented it well with great visuals. Easy to grasp for anyone, even if they haven’t been paying much attention. By now, even casual observers know that ICE is a rogue agency that should have been reined in years ago.
Solid A. If they put enough money behind this, Raja’s numbers almost certainly go down. Not sure it boosts Stratton, but it will definitely cost Raja.
I hope the back and forth negative ads does help Robin Kelly. I believe her to be the strongest candidate of the field. Her commercials show her as a no non sense legislator which is exactly what I have witness from her over the years.
- lake county democrat - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 1:27 pm:
Maybe I’m an outlier given the other comments I’m seeing, but I think this is kinda weak. The first big reveal is that he has taken money from an ICE contractor? That could be someone who leased ICE some vehicles. And ICE has only been toxic to most Dems in the last year. By the time they get to more current stuff, it’s too late and still sounds like they’re stretching.
So, since this is a Pritzker backed Super PAC ad is it AIPAC connected? All this chatter about AIPAC “connected”, “linked” etc simply seems to be just another way of saying Jewish donor related, right? If so, that’s a very scary place for the Democratic Party to venture.
I don’t have a big opinion between Stratton and Krishnamoorthi. They’d probably both rise to the same level of adequacy. They’re pretty interchangeable.
But I’ve been seeing Raj’s commercials for months now, where he talks about abolishing ICE in front of a fake town-hall-like audience. It’s not a great commercial, but it leaves little question as to his position. A late-breaking commercial trying to convince us that he hearts ICE just seems desperate.
And when he wins, they’ll shoot an ad that says never mind? Same with Raja’s ad. One of the sad things about brutal primaries is that you see the opposition run with the negatives. Thankfully, the IL MAGA GOP is in such shambles it shouldn’t impact Dem chances in general.
Silly ad, as the money in question came from Palantir’s Chief Technology Officer, Shyam Sankar. Palantir, which is a company with a $311.55 billion Market cap. They have a measly $30 million contract with DHS - that would be a rounding error in the annual report. Raja also donated the contribution cash to an immigrants’ rights group. But I do enjoy the intraparty dramas
==So, since this is a Pritzker backed Super PAC ad is it AIPAC connected? All this chatter about AIPAC “connected”, “linked” etc simply seems to be just another way of saying Jewish donor related, right? If so, that’s a very scary place for the Democratic Party to venture.==
No.
If you think “AIPAC” = “Jewish people” that is a leap you have made entirely on your own for reasons you should really think about.
And if you think “Pritzker-backed” = “AIPAC” in 2026 you should spend far more time reading on this site than commenting.
Forgot to rate but I’d give it a C- on content. Like another commenter said it deserves a D on timing. This may very well have been effective two months ago. Now? Background noise
Solid hit. A. Now let’s see how much is behind it.
And Roadrager, I appreciate what you’re saying, but since the anti-AIPAC crowd has come out and said they view AIPAC and the lefty group J-Street as being the same, it’s pretty clear that the commenter is right and not “a leap you have made entirely on your own for reasons you should really think about.” Specifically, if you follow “TrackAIPAC”, they’ve come out and said as much as have their followers. AIPAC is being used increasingly as a metaphor for “Jews” and “Jewish money.” That’s not me talking - it’s the people who are saying it.
Bad timing and also just doesn’t ring true. Raja gives off suburban dad vibes, no pun intended to my own moniker here. Bad timing and also quite a stretch to imagine him as a MAGA/ICE stooge given his voting record and his constituent work.
Juliana should’ve made a case for why her more progressive bent is the better way. Calling him maga is silly.
=== complaining about a candidate’s contributions. I feel like American politics has reached peak ridiculousness ===
Well, if money=speech, then highlighting the “speech” of a candidate is far from ridiculous. And that aside the ad also highlighted votes taken by the Congressman. I give the ad a B+
Robin Kelly is not going to be the next U.S. Senator from Illinois. A vote for Robin is simply a vote for Raja. Juliana is the only candidate that is going to stop Raja from buying the seat and keeping his do nothing House record from becoming a do nothing Senate record. We deserve better.
- Ghost of Bovino - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 1:08 pm:
That’s good. Smells like a winning ad
- TNR - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 1:13 pm:
We’ve reached the long expected part of the campaign where Raja and Juliana kick the crud out of each other, which results in Robin Kelly moving up in the polls.
- Duck Duck Goose - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 1:21 pm:
A Super PAC puts out an ad complaining about a candidate’s contributions. I feel like American politics has reached peak ridiculousness…and then maybe gone a little farther.
- Old IL Dude - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 1:21 pm:
I like Raja, but I don’t think I’m going to see any actual change on healthcare, which is important to me. Stratton seems like a want to be member or the Squad, and that turns me off (along with her paper thing political resume). Not a huge fan of Robin Kelly, but she seems to be the best option, which is unfortunate. She’s got too much baggage with Jackson Jr., Peotone airport and her age, but she seems like the most effective of the bunch.
- Tom - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 1:21 pm:
He said she said. As long as the point levels are semi-even, and with 20 days left, it is not going to move that many to give her a win. I agree, Robin is the biggest beneficiary.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 1:23 pm:
Ouch. That’s going to leave a mark.
Laid it out clearly, and presented it well with great visuals. Easy to grasp for anyone, even if they haven’t been paying much attention. By now, even casual observers know that ICE is a rogue agency that should have been reined in years ago.
Solid A. If they put enough money behind this, Raja’s numbers almost certainly go down. Not sure it boosts Stratton, but it will definitely cost Raja.
- Chicago Voter - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 1:25 pm:
I hope the back and forth negative ads does help Robin Kelly. I believe her to be the strongest candidate of the field. Her commercials show her as a no non sense legislator which is exactly what I have witness from her over the years.
- lake county democrat - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 1:27 pm:
Maybe I’m an outlier given the other comments I’m seeing, but I think this is kinda weak. The first big reveal is that he has taken money from an ICE contractor? That could be someone who leased ICE some vehicles. And ICE has only been toxic to most Dems in the last year. By the time they get to more current stuff, it’s too late and still sounds like they’re stretching.
- Lakeview Larry - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 1:28 pm:
A+.
The gloves are laced up and this is a haymaker. Great response to the hit piece Raja put out.
Take notes, this is how you do it.
- Red Ketcher - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 1:28 pm:
B+ Short, Direct Solid Punch Line
(would be an A but for a dislike of negative ads )
- Penelope - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 1:30 pm:
So, since this is a Pritzker backed Super PAC ad is it AIPAC connected? All this chatter about AIPAC “connected”, “linked” etc simply seems to be just another way of saying Jewish donor related, right? If so, that’s a very scary place for the Democratic Party to venture.
- Duck Duck Goose - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 1:38 pm:
I don’t have a big opinion between Stratton and Krishnamoorthi. They’d probably both rise to the same level of adequacy. They’re pretty interchangeable.
But I’ve been seeing Raj’s commercials for months now, where he talks about abolishing ICE in front of a fake town-hall-like audience. It’s not a great commercial, but it leaves little question as to his position. A late-breaking commercial trying to convince us that he hearts ICE just seems desperate.
- Norseman - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 1:43 pm:
And when he wins, they’ll shoot an ad that says never mind? Same with Raja’s ad. One of the sad things about brutal primaries is that you see the opposition run with the negatives. Thankfully, the IL MAGA GOP is in such shambles it shouldn’t impact Dem chances in general.
- OBResident - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 1:46 pm:
Ad - Solid A
Timing - D
Her inability to fundraise sank her ship. Now she’s playing catch-up. When she loses, and she will lose, get ready for some juicy insider info.
I’d expect Pritzker to create meaningful distance between herself and himself.
- Peoria Perry - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 1:52 pm:
No Stratton TV ads seen on Peoria TV yet, plenty of Raja ads.
- Alton Sinkhole - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 1:56 pm:
If this is all they have on him it simply is not going to be enough. Mr Fulks can’t ride that Warnock win forever
- Think Again - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 2:03 pm:
= from an ICE contractor=
Silly ad, as the money in question came from Palantir’s Chief Technology Officer, Shyam Sankar. Palantir, which is a company with a $311.55 billion Market cap. They have a measly $30 million contract with DHS - that would be a rounding error in the annual report. Raja also donated the contribution cash to an immigrants’ rights group. But I do enjoy the intraparty dramas
https://immpolicytracking.org/policies/reported-palantir-
awarded-30-million-to-build-immigrationos-surveill
ance-platform-for-ice/
- low level - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 2:11 pm:
C. Whatever. Raja is still going to win and will be a fighter for Illinois.
- Lincoln Lad - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 2:17 pm:
My thought is Raja won this race before Stratton started to campaign…
- Roadrager - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 2:43 pm:
==So, since this is a Pritzker backed Super PAC ad is it AIPAC connected? All this chatter about AIPAC “connected”, “linked” etc simply seems to be just another way of saying Jewish donor related, right? If so, that’s a very scary place for the Democratic Party to venture.==
No.
If you think “AIPAC” = “Jewish people” that is a leap you have made entirely on your own for reasons you should really think about.
And if you think “Pritzker-backed” = “AIPAC” in 2026 you should spend far more time reading on this site than commenting.
- Alton Sinkhole - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 2:54 pm:
Forgot to rate but I’d give it a C- on content. Like another commenter said it deserves a D on timing. This may very well have been effective two months ago. Now? Background noise
- That Guy - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 2:56 pm:
@Roadrager, no reason to take the bait from those comments. Their “logic” is laughably thin.
- sewer thoughts - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 3:00 pm:
is that footage of state police pushing back protests at broadview at the end of the ad? ironies abound
- New Day - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 3:13 pm:
Solid hit. A. Now let’s see how much is behind it.
And Roadrager, I appreciate what you’re saying, but since the anti-AIPAC crowd has come out and said they view AIPAC and the lefty group J-Street as being the same, it’s pretty clear that the commenter is right and not “a leap you have made entirely on your own for reasons you should really think about.” Specifically, if you follow “TrackAIPAC”, they’ve come out and said as much as have their followers. AIPAC is being used increasingly as a metaphor for “Jews” and “Jewish money.” That’s not me talking - it’s the people who are saying it.
- DMC - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 4:00 pm:
Should ICE be reformed? Absolutely. Should it be dismantled? Absolutely not. Stratton is out of her league.
- DMC - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 4:00 pm:
Should ICE be reformed? Absolutely. Should it be dismantled? Absolutely not. Stratton is out of her league.
- DMC - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 4:00 pm:
Should ICE be reformed? Absolutely. Should it be dismantled? Absolutely not. Stratton is out of her league.
- Suburban mom - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 4:17 pm:
Bad timing and also just doesn’t ring true. Raja gives off suburban dad vibes, no pun intended to my own moniker here. Bad timing and also quite a stretch to imagine him as a MAGA/ICE stooge given his voting record and his constituent work.
Juliana should’ve made a case for why her more progressive bent is the better way. Calling him maga is silly.
- shadow docket - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 4:44 pm:
Stratton’s current staff reflects lobbyists and advocates - not good government experts. Raja is the right vote.
- Incandenza - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 4:59 pm:
=== complaining about a candidate’s contributions. I feel like American politics has reached peak ridiculousness ===
Well, if money=speech, then highlighting the “speech” of a candidate is far from ridiculous. And that aside the ad also highlighted votes taken by the Congressman. I give the ad a B+
- MrGrassroots - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 6:13 pm:
=== She’s got too much baggage with Jackson Jr., Peotone airport and her age, but she seems like the most effective of the bunch.===
Baggage? Yes, age has come up.
But . . .
Please explain the baggage you are referring to in reference to Jr. and the third airport.
Did I miss something?
- Cosgrove - Monday, Feb 23, 26 @ 6:55 pm:
Robin Kelly is not going to be the next U.S. Senator from Illinois. A vote for Robin is simply a vote for Raja. Juliana is the only candidate that is going to stop Raja from buying the seat and keeping his do nothing House record from becoming a do nothing Senate record. We deserve better.
- Stuart - Tuesday, Feb 24, 26 @ 2:33 pm:
I like Robin Kelly… she comes across as the most level headed. I think she can work across the aisle too.