* Before the primary…

The Congressional Black Caucus is taking aim at Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton — and Gov. JB Pritzker. The caucus endorsed incumbent member U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. And in a statement to Punchbowl News, the caucus said they are not happy to see Pritzker financially supporting his governing partner over their member.

“A sitting governor shouldn’t be heavy-handing the race. Quite frankly, his behavior in this race won’t soon be forgotten,” Caucus Chair U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., said.

* Shortly after the primary…

Congressional Black Caucus members, after a stinging loss in the Illinois Democratic Senate primary, are training their ire on Gov. JB Pritzker — and saying it’s on him to rehabilitate the relationship.

After Pritzker’s outsized financial support for Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton helped lift her to victory, lawmakers vented frustrations that his money unfairly tilted the race in her favor and away from their candidate, Rep. Robin Kelly, a CBC member who finished a distant third. And as Pritzker eyes a 2028 presidential bid, some members, cognizant that the path to winning the Democratic Party’s nomination will run through the caucus, signaled they won’t forget that he crossed them this round. […]

“We don’t need to reach out to the governor,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, adding that the group is focused on midterm races and delivering House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries the speaker’s gavel.

“Others are going to have to reach out to us,” he said of Pritzker. “Those conversations happen when those conversations happen.”

* Yesterday…

Today, the Congressional Black Caucus PAC announced its endorsement of Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton in her campaign for United States Senate. CBCPAC works to increase the number of Black members of Congress and supports candidates who advocate for the interests of the Black community.

“I’m thrilled to be endorsed by the Congressional Black Caucus PAC in my campaign for U.S. Senate. There’s not a lot of voices like mine in the Senate, but there should be, and CBCPAC is working hard to change that,” said Juliana Stratton. “Together, we will ensure that every American has the representation they deserve in Congress, and we will fight to deliver real progress for our communities.”

“Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is a dedicated and proven fighter for working families across Illinois and will be a strong voice in the U.S. Senate in our efforts to protect and expand voting rights, make life more affordable, and defend our freedoms,” said CBCPAC Chair Congressman Gregory Meeks. “CBCPAC is proud to endorse Juliana in her campaign to make history as the sixth Black woman senator if elected. At a time when Black political power is under attack, Juliana will ensure that our voices are represented in the halls of power and continue to shine through.”