It’s Election Day. And perhaps most importantly, the beginning of a brief détente on the dizzying amount of paid advertising.
Our lead topic: Jackson’s Stratton (non)endorsement.
Stratton’s Jesse Jackson endorsement claim creates last-minute campaign turmoil
MOORE’S SUMMARY: Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s campaign saw some last-minute turmoil Monday as she claimed the posthumous endorsement of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., but his family quickly pushed back, saying a draft ballot of the late civil rights leader’s endorsed candidates had been released in error.
STRATTON’S CLAIM: Stratton’s campaign said in a news release Saturday that Jackson endorsed her and shared his preference with his family before his Feb. 17 death. Stratton said Jackson’s example “has been a north star” and that she would “work tirelessly to carry on his legacy of fighting for justice, equality and freedom in Washington.”
NOT SO FAST: Jackson’s son Yusef said in a statement on Monday said that his father began reviewing candidates for endorsements last month, but “the process was never fully completed.”
“Out of respect for my father, we decided not to publicly release his intended selections given the process had not been finalized. Unfortunately, this weekend, a draft sample ballot that was in development was released without authorization.”
Jackson, following up with another statement Monday evening, said the ballot was released by a staff person “due to an internal miscommunication.”
“This unintentional error has set off unforeseen controversy. One that has unfortunately revolved around one candidate in particular.”
“I want to be very clear. We did not withdraw or retract our endorsement of any one candidate,” Jackson said, though adding that the family will “not be confirming nor issuing political endorsements in this cycle.”
STRATTON’S RESPONSE: In a statement Monday, the campaign said she spoke Saturday at a Women’s History Month event at Rainbow PUSH and “officials told her she received the endorsements.” The statement added: “Organizers shared the sample election ballot that was already being distributed and encouraged her to share the news.”
WHY IT MATTERS: A posthumous endorsement by Jackson would’ve helped Stratton solidify her support in the African American community — a constituency political insiders say she needs to perform well with to overtake frontrunner U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Schaumburg, in the March 17 primary. The Congressional Black Caucus has endorsed U.S. Rep. Kelly, D-Lynwood, and there are concerns among some Black leaders that Kelly and Stratton could split the community’s vote.
SPLITTING BLACK VOTERS? Stratton’s eagerness to tout Jackson’s endorsement comes as outside political action committees run ads on Black radio stations featuring former President Barack Obama touting Stratton and Kelly during past elections. Obama has not endorsed in the Senate contest.
The effort to boost Kelly has largely been funded by PACs with ties to the cryptocurrency industry and the political arm of Indian American Impact, which backs Krishnamoorthi. It is viewed by some as an effort to siphon Black votes from Stratton and allow Krishnamoorthi to win with a plurality.
That said, Krishnamoorthi’s camp believes they will perform better than expected with Black voters. Krishnamoorthi has campaigned in heavily African American communities and neighborhoods, and has the endorsements of dozens of Black pastors and the support of Chicago Ald. Stephanie Coleman, the chair of the Chicago Aldermanic Black Caucus.
More than $24 million in outside money spent in Senate race
FOLLOW THE MONEY: Krishnamoorthi was essentially uncontested on television and digital platforms for the first eight months of the campaign. But, according to the Federal Elections Commission, more than $24 million in outside cash has been spent on the race since January.
PRITZKER’S MILLIONS: More than $12 million has been spent by Illinois Future PAC, which supports Stratton and is largely funded by Gov. JB Pritzker.
CRYPTO CASH: More than $10 million has been spent by two PACs bankrolled by the cryptocurrency industry. Most has been against Stratton while some has gone to boost Kelly.
HOW WE GOT HERE: Krishnamoorthi spends $450K per week on TV ads in Senate race | Pro-Stratton super PAC touts Pritzker endorsement
What to look out for Election Night
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Unlike in a Chicago television market flooded with ads in local, state and federal races, the Krishnamoorthi campaign has maintained a clear advantage on downstate television. He’s also visited far more than Kelly or Stratton. He’s expected to perform well in the region, which could make up 20% of the electorate.
Krishnamoorthi is also expected to do well in the suburban collar counties and northwestern Cook County, which he represents in Congress.
Kelly is anticipated to perform best in her south suburban-based congressional district.
Stratton is banking on a strong performance on the south and west sides of Chicago as well as in the city’s “lakefront liberal” wards, where she made four campaign stops on the penultimate day of the campaign.
WHEN WILL WE KNOW?: All three candidates are hosting election night gatherings in Chicago. Polls close at 7 p.m. While Illinois generally counts votes quickly, a close race could make for a long night.
FOLLOW ALONG WITH US: Capitol News Illinois is following all the major races. Ben Szalinski and I will be covering the Senate race from Chicago and Peter Hancock is on the GOP governor’s race and will report from Darren Bailey’s election night party in Springfield.
And the rest of the team will be keeping tabs on the Democratic primary for comptroller, five open congressional seats in the Chicago region and various Democratic and Republican primaries in the Illinois state legislature.
Follow us on X (@brendenmoore13, @benszalinski and @PeterQHancock) and keep our Capitol News Insider live blog open on your browser.
And one last thing: One of my favorite parts of Election Day is texting sources some version of “whaddya hearing?” If you have any observations, whether it’s about turnout, campaign gossip or anything else, drop me a line — bmoore@capitolnewsillinois.com.
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