Jesse Jackson's family says Illinois Senate endorsement release was not authorized
The family of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson said Monday that no endorsement had been finalized in Illinois’ Democrat Senate primary, after Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton's campaign claimed his backing...
By Fox News · Fox News
The family of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson said Monday that no endorsement had been finalized in Illinois’ Democrat Senate primary , after Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton's campaign claimed his backing over the weekend. The dispute stems from sample ballots circulated by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Jackson's civil rights organization, that listed Stratton as a recommended candidate, but the draft sample ballot was released without "authorization," according to Yusef Jackson, who is the organization's head and the late reverend's son. The confusion comes as Stratton faces Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., in a competitive primary Tuesday to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., with some Democrats concerned that a split among Black voters could shape the outcome. "Earlier this year, despite ongoing challenges with mobility and his declining health, Reverend Jackson began the process of reviewing candidates and identifying those he intended to support in the upcoming primary election," Yusef Jackson wrote in a statement posted to Facebook . "However, he did not live long enough to finish the process. ILLINOIS GOV PRITZKER DONATES $5M TO SUPER PAC BACKING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S SENATE CAMPAIGN "Out of respect for my father, we decided not to publicly release his intended selections given the process had not been finalized," Jackson said. "However, due to an internal miscommunication, a draft sample ballot was released by a staff person who did not have authorization." Stratton’s campaign said she was told by coalition officials that she had received Jackson’s endorsement and was encouraged to share the news. "Juliana spoke on Saturday at Rainbow PUSH for a Women's History Month event and officials told her she received the endorsements," the Stratton campaign told the Chicago Sun-Times . "Organizers shared the sample election ballot that was already being distributed and encouraged her to share the news." PRITZKER FLEXES POLITICAL MUSCLE IN…