* PunchBowl…
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.
Personally, I blame Dick Durbin for all of this, going back to the two proxy wars for party chair.
* Interesting points…
Just saying, but a couple of months ago, people were grumbling that Pritzker wasn’t doing enough and claiming this could hurt his probable presidential bid. Now, supporting Stratton is being used to threaten a presidential bid.
* Anyway, Pritzker was asked about the CBC today…
Q: What about the Congressional Black Caucus, there been some complaints you’ve been a bit heavy handed in your support of your lieutenant governor for Senate?
Pritzker: You all have known that Juliana Stratton and I have been close allies in governance, partners in governance, she’s done an outstanding job. I’m all in for people that I think are qualified and very good in public office and will serve very well as a United States Senator. So you know that’s that’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve done that for other candidates.
Q: [Crosstalk] Any promises made to get endorsements for her.
Pritzker: I don’t know what you mean [Crosstalk]
Q: Any promises made to get endorsements for her.
I would like every elected official that can hear me right now to endorse Juliana Stratton. I think I’ve said that from the beginning. I’ve endorsed Juliana Stratton, that those are, you know, I think people know that I would like everybody to, in fact, most importantly, I would like the voters to endorse Juliana Stratton and show up and vote for her. [Crosstalk] I don’t know, what you’re implying is not something I’ve ever been engaged in.
* LG Stratton was at the presser and she addressed the CBC complaint…
Stratton: Well, I mean, they work together. She’s been a member of the caucus, and I believe there’s sort, you know, they’re people who support her in this race, as a colleague who has served for a number of years she’s been there. But I’m very proud to have the endorsement and support of Governor Pritzker and the 160 others that have endorsed my candidacy, including Senator Tammy Duckworth and so many others. But mostly I’m going to be working for the next two weeks to earn the support and endorsement of the voters of Illinois.
Q: Do you think their efforts to make an issue with the governor’s support of you is trying to weigh in on the campaign with words as opposed to money?
Stratton: I can’t speak to their motivations. It sounds like they are supporting their colleague. But I’m going to stay focused on what I need to focus on for the next two weeks, and talking about things like how we’ve eliminated over a billion dollars of medical debt here in Illinois, and continue to have done big things for the people of Illinois over the last seven years as Lieutenant Governor.
Pritzker: I just want to add the one thing, which is, I’m so proud to support Juliana in this race. I would like a Black woman to represent us in the United States Senate. I just want the best person. She happens to be a Black woman and so and by the way, I think I’ve proven for many years now that I stand with communities of color across the state and with candidates who are running for public office. Juliana, remember, broke a barrier. There’s never before been a Black Lieutenant Governor of the State of Illinois, and we would like to have the second Black woman elected to the United States Senate in Juliana Stratton. She’s the best person for the job.
That last bit was a might awkward.
- Drury's Missing Clock - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 12:31 pm:
It feels like “x will hurt JB’s presidential bid” is a pretty standard proclamation from any Democrat not currently getting exactly what they want from the governor (neutrality in the mayoral runoff comes to mind). Making an enemy of the CBC might actually cost a decent chunk of southern delegates, though.
- Jr. Neef - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 12:39 pm:
I like the governor and have voted for and will continue to vote for him. But it is a little disingenuous for him to say he doesn’t know about the strong arm that he and his people have put on elected officials and party chair for endorsements of both Julianna and Croke.
- JB13 - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 12:43 pm:
South Carolina 2028 could be lit, as the kids say
- Elizabeth L - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 12:44 pm:
The article says Illinois Future PAC is spending $11.3 million, with $5 million donated by JB. It’s been reported Penny Pritzker gave $1 million.
No one has said who gave the other $5 million, right?
- Dan Johnson - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 12:45 pm:
Ranked choice voting would be a major upgrade. Just saying.
- Jocko - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 12:49 pm:
==his behavior in this race won’t soon be forgotten by any of us.==
We don’t want nobody that nobody sent.
- Homebody - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 12:51 pm:
CBC wants their member in the Senate. Pritzker wants his ally in the Senate. Both of these things make sense to me in a vacuum.
I think CBC is more out of line if only because no one is owed anything. In fact a big problem with establishment dems is how dedicated they are to putting up less popular or capable candidates because its “their turn” or because “the deserve it.”
That isn’t how elections work. I’m not a particular radical leftist (though I am a pragmatic progressive), but I absolutely support open and competitive Dem primaries, and I will absolutely rail against any Dem establishment types who expect everyone else to just go along with their hand picked people.
Mind you I also support ranked choice voting and people with no path to winning dropping out to avoid spoilers. If you’re the 3rd or 4th polling progressive, get out and stop splitting votes.
Yes I’m talking to most of the field in IL-09.
- Meh - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 12:55 pm:
lol he doesn’t know about promises made….friend of a friend was in the room when an offer was made (but not accepted). He’s not talking publicly about it but eventually someone will.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 12:56 pm:
===I just want to add the one thing, which is, I’m so proud to support Juliana in this race. […] She’s the best person for the job.===
FTFY, Gov.
===I blame Dick Durbin===
Agreed.
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 1:16 pm:
So they’re not going to comment on the state’s junior senator (who is, you know, one of their colleagues in congress) also supporting Stratton?
Rep. Kelly really had to call in some favors on this one.
- Fred Garvin - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 1:22 pm:
You can always count on JB to support the least offensive candidate for Senator
- Google is Your Friend - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 1:27 pm:
The CBC takes incumbent support for any office (even a political promotion) serious enough that they regularly oppose Black candidates running against white congressional incumbents.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 1:29 pm:
===the least offensive candidate===
You mean the one who repeatedly dropped the f-bomb in a tv ad?
You can criticize Stratton and Pritzker for a ton of stuff, but the least offensive candidate in this race is clearly Raja.
- Responsa - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 1:35 pm:
Oh my. Is there any video of the Governor’s comms people hyperventilating or nervously side eyeing each other as JB was delivering that last paragraph?
- Torco Sign - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 1:52 pm:
Let’s be real–JB 2028 wanted to be able to go to Black Democrats (including, ironically enough, these CBC members) to help in South Carolina and other places, but he either didn’t anticipate or didn’t respect Robin Kelly’s game. “I’m just here to support the Black woman” is so hollow when there’s another Black woman running. If Stratton loses, Team JB will be pretending like they had nothing to do with her campaign.
- Steve - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 1:52 pm:
-the least offensive candidate in this race is clearly Raja.-
I think Robin and Raja both come off as likeable. But, that’s me.
- Chat_BP3 - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 1:53 pm:
“the least offensive candidate in this race is clearly Raja.”
Not if you happen to work for him.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 1:57 pm:
lol
Good one, Chat_BP3. But I’ve never seen that side and nobody has come forward, so here we are.
- Fred Garvin - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 2:04 pm:
You have amnesia on the least offensive reference from the FBI tapes
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 2:08 pm:
“Not if you happen to work for him.”
Lol. I really wish someone steps forward with stories soon about that. Clock is ticking.
- Chat_BP3 - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 2:09 pm:
“so here we are.”
Fair point. I can’t really ignore what I’ve heard from friends on the Hill, but most voters won’t know or hear the rumors about how he treats staff.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 2:11 pm:
===the least offensive candidate===
I forgotten my pearls at home since January 7th, 2026.
They’re out of style.
- Ukrainian Village Usurper - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 2:23 pm:
The pearl clutching from Rich is rich. God forbid there’s some comedic anger in a political ad directed at the wannabe authoritarian.
What’s offensive that Raja works his staff to death and is an egomaniacal, delusional Macbeth.
- Tom - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 2:29 pm:
$11.3 million is a bit more than trying to tip the scale. It seems to me a simple sit down years ago with Robin might have avoided their black women split the vote problem today.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 2:41 pm:
===The pearl clutching from Rich is rich===
There’s no pearl clutching. Just countering someone else’s claim. Take a nap already.
===egomaniacal, delusional Macbeth. ===
Provide proof or you’re gone.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 2:44 pm:
===You have amnesia ===
No, but I didn’t get your reference because it was so ancient and said without humor.
- Fred Garvin - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 2:52 pm:
It’s germane given the fact there are two African American candidates with sharp elbows.
For anyone else without billions that comment would have been a career ender
Wouldn’t you love to hear some FBI tapes now?
- Trinity - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 2:57 pm:
CBC is freaking out because Jasmine Crockett is about to lose in Texas today. So they moved onto the next race. Juliana had a great response. Let’s be honest, CBC has also put their thumb in this race AS WELL as others.Including Brandon Lee “advising” for Jasmine Crocket. All due respect to the CBC, the people of IL will choose our next senator not them.
- Trinity - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 3:00 pm:
Correction: *Jason Lee. I was typing way too fast while exhausted. Is it almost Election Day yet?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 3:10 pm:
===For anyone else without billions that comment would have been a career ender ===
Oh, for crying out loud. Talk about pearl clutching.
- Dotnonymous x - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 3:10 pm:
I want my candidate to be on offense.
- That Guy - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 3:13 pm:
===You mean the one who repeatedly dropped the f-bomb in a tv ad?===
Oh no! The horror!!!
- Overbay - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 3:47 pm:
This whole race, how it came to be, Durbin’s role, now this from CBC——Exhibit A for how messed up the Democratic party is and why it is consistently can’t put together a governing majority.
- Shytown - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 4:12 pm:
This is an unfortunate move on the part of CBC. Governors across the country get involved in primary races. Why is it any different for him? I get that Robin is a member of the caucus, but they don’t get to dictate who engages in these races vs not. It’s a democracy folks.
- New Day - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 4:24 pm:
“the least offensive candidate in this race is clearly Raja.”
Not if you happen to work for him.”
I’ve heard this so many times from former staff, DCCC, DNC, DNCC, that’s it’s hard to ignore. They realllllllllly don’t like Raja.
- Ukrainian Village Usurper - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 9:12 pm:
==Provide proof or you’re gone==
Can’t incriminate former staffers. But I can post their allegations from Dear_White_Staffers on their story highlights.
https://www.instagram.com/dear_white_staffers/