Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker Faces Backlash From Black Leaders After Helping Black Woman Get Elected

(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) are livid over the nature of Democratic Party machine politics and that a white Democratic governor helped a black female lieutenant governor win her Senate primary.

With massive financial backing from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Juliana Stratton, his number 2, handily defeated black candidate, CBC member, and CBC-endorsed Rep. Robin Kelly, in the Democratic Senate primary Tuesday. (RELATED: JB Pritzker’s Preferred Candidate Who Ran ‘F*ck Trump’ Ad Wins Democrat Senate Primary)

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 17: Illinois Democratic Senate candidate Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton speaks to the press alongside Governor JB Pritzker during a campaign stop at Manny’s Cafeteria and Delicatessen on March 17, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. Voters in Illinois are going to the polls in the primary election today. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

CBC members are reportedly irked that Pritzker played kingmaker and essentially crowned Stratton, and like teenage girls clinging to a bitter grudge, they “are in no rush to make the first move to mend fences,” Politico reported.

“He has to justify what he did,” said Democratic Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson. “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.”

“Keep in mind, the Democratic candidate for president that prevails has to go through [the CBC],” said Democratic Ohio Rep. Joyce. “The CBC is very strategic and so if there is an issue … we will lay out our framework for what it will take” to get a CBC endorsement.

“We don’t need to reach out to the governor,” Democratic New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, told Politico. “Others are going to have to reach out to us. Those conversations happen when those conversations happen.”

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 03: (L-R) Eleanor Holmes Norton, Maxine Waters, Sanford Bishop, Jim Clyburn, Bobby Scott, Bennie Thompson, Gregory Meeks and Stacey Plaskett attend the 2025 Congressional Black Caucus Ceremonial Swearing-In at The Anthem on The Wharf on January 03, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Congressional Black Caucus Foundation)

It’s quite comical from the outside, but for Pritzker, the friction could have serious consequences should he run in 2028. As Politico noted, the CBC “holds significant sway over which candidates break through with black voters — a large and powerful voting bloc the billionaire governor will need if he chooses to run for the White House.” If the CBC continues throwing Pritzker the cold shoulder, he will probably have to grovel quite a bit to thaw the icy relationship.

Can you imagine the struggle sessions between Pritzker and the CBC? I can, and it’s hilarious.

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