Following a significant setback in the Illinois Democratic Senate primary, members of the Congressional Black Caucus are directing their frustration toward Gov. JB Pritzker, insisting it’s his responsibility to repair the strained relations.
Pritzker’s substantial financial backing for Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton was instrumental in her triumph, but it also sparked discontent among lawmakers. They argue that his financial influence skewed the race in her favor, disadvantaging their preferred candidate, Rep. Robin Kelly, a member of the CBC, who finished in a distant third place. As Pritzker contemplates a 2028 presidential run, some CBC members are mindful that securing the Democratic nomination will require their support and have indicated they won’t easily forget his actions.
“He has to justify what he did,” remarked Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.). “I’m sure at some point if he decides to run, he’ll have to come with that justification. As to whether or not it has merit or not, remains to be seen.”
Pritzker’s financial contributions helped position Stratton as the sixth Black senator in U.S. history. However, by sidelining Kelly, he has strained his relationship with the caucus, which plays a critical role in determining which candidates resonate with Black voters—a crucial demographic Pritzker will need if he pursues the presidency.
“Keep in mind, the Democratic candidate for president that prevails has to go through [the CBC],” stated Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio). “The CBC is very strategic and so if there is an issue … we will lay out our framework for what it will take” to secure our endorsement, she added.
Top CBC officials are not eager to initiate reconciliation.
“We don’t need to reach out to the governor,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus PAC. He noted the group’s focus on midterm races and on helping House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries become the speaker.
“Others are going to have to reach out to us,” Meeks stated regarding Pritzker. “Those conversations happen when those conversations happen.”
Pritzker’s political team released a statement expressing pride in supporting Stratton, Illinois’ first Black lieutenant governor: “With only six black women having served in the U.S. Senate throughout its history, Gov. Pritzker supported his partner in governance because he’s worked side by side with her for almost a decade and knows she will deliver for the people of Illinois,” said Jordan Abudayyeh, Pritzker’s spokesperson.
His team did not respond directly to CBC members’ concerns but referenced Rep. Jim Clyburn, a prominent South Carolina Democrat, who stated before the election that Pritzker was “free to support” anyone.
Clyburn told POLITICO on Wednesday that he would “expect” Pritzker to support his second-in-command and that he was not focused on 2028.
Nonetheless, lawmakers’ implicit warnings highlight the challenges Pritzker may face beyond Tuesday’s primary. They also reveal the complex situation the CBC navigates as they deal with high-profile losses in Illinois and Texas, raising questions about their political sway, even as they celebrate Stratton’s success.
In discussions with over a dozen CBC members on Wednesday, they clarified that their dissatisfaction was not with Stratton, who many said will be welcomed into the caucus if she wins in November. Their frustration lies solely with Pritzker, whom they accuse of acting as a kingmaker by investing millions into boosting Stratton.
Tensions escalated between the influential legislative group and the billionaire governor in early March. CBC Chair Yvette Clarke criticized Pritzker, expressing her “beyond frustrated” feelings about the governor for “tipping the scales” by channeling $5 million from his super PAC to help launch Stratton into competition with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who was leading in the polls and had a significant cash advantage.
Many CBC members, including Clarke, perceived Pritzker’s involvement in the race as a slight to Kelly, who had a history of conflict with Pritzker after he attempted to remove her as chair of the Illinois Democratic Party in 2022. Although both Kelly and Pritzker were believed to have moved past this, the Senate campaign reopened old wounds.
Clarke issued a statement—12 hours after the Illinois Senate primary results were announced—congratulating Stratton on her victory, calling it “a significant moment for Illinois and the nation that calls for unity,” before shifting to commend Kelly.
The CBC chair stated on Wednesday that she had not spoken with Pritzker.
“I’m sure there’ll be a moment where we’ll have a conversation,” Clarke said. When asked if she felt it necessary to initiate a discussion with the governor, she replied tersely, “No, I don’t.”
Former Illinois Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, the first Black woman elected to the Senate, endorsed Stratton in the race. She criticized the CBC members’ emphasis on the governor’s role rather than the historic outcome, suggesting the group seemed more focused on supporting their own members than expanding Black representation.
“To weigh in on this race was just backwards,” Braun told POLITICO. “[Kelly] was a member of the caucus and so it’s understandable on that level. But at the same time, Juliana deserved at least something from that group.”
Many CBC members avoided directly criticizing Pritzker, reflecting the complicated political landscape. Congressional Democrats seek Pritzker’s financial support to fund their efforts to regain control of the House and make Jeffries, the minority leader and New York Democrat, the first Black speaker. They have already begun engaging with him privately.
“I’ve already reached out to Governor Pritzker,” said Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), a former CBC chair. “I’ve talked to him this morning, in fact, and I’ll talk to him in the weeks and months to come, because I have one objective: to win this House, to help win the Senate, and to make sure we end the chaos that’s coming out of this administration.”
Others tried to distinguish their assessment of Pritzker’s involvement in Stratton’s victory from any potential campaign he might run in 2028, indicating they would be open to reestablishing the relationship.
“You will still have to show your bona fides, and you still will have to make your case as to why the CBC and Black people should take you into consideration. So we have reset it,” Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.) said. “Good for him, for her, but that has no bearing on the 2028 race.”
Shia Kapos contributed to this report.
