[Bumped up to Friday for visibility.]
* Tribune…
After U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly said this week that Rep. Jonathan Jackson was among 18 members of the Congressional Black Caucus endorsing her Democratic primary bid to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Jackson announced he is not backing Kelly and instead remaining neutral in the race.
Despite having “deep respect and admiration” for Kelly, whom he described in a statement late Wednesday as “thoughtful, hardworking, and a strong advocate for the people of Illinois,” Jackson said, “As a general practice, I have decided it is better not to make endorsements during Democratic primaries.”
The Jackson nonendorsement comes at an inopportune time for Kelly as she attempts to ramp up her bid in what is expected to be a hard-fought race to succeed Durbin, who is retiring at the end of his term. […]
Jackson “was expressing his general support and admiration for Congresswoman Kelly, which may have been interpreted as a full endorsement,” spokesman Robert Patillo wrote in an email.
Rep. Kelly has endorsements from several members of the Congressional Black Caucus, but none of those members represent Illinois.
