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In Chicago, a riveting U.S. Senate race is capturing attention as new polling data indicates a tight contest for the seat soon to be vacated by retiring Senator Dick Durbin. As the Democratic primary approaches, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton find themselves in a close race, both vying for the chance to advance.
Juliana Stratton recently expressed gratitude for what she believed was a significant endorsement from the late Reverend Jesse Jackson. “I’m just very grateful to have the endorsement and support, personal endorsement of Reverend Jesse Jackson, and, of course, Yusuf Jackson,” Stratton remarked. She recounted her visit to the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, where she was told about the endorsement before the reverend’s passing.
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The narrative took an unexpected turn when it emerged that the endorsement attributed to Rev. Jackson was, in fact, a misunderstanding. The endorsement was derived from a draft ballot, not meant for public dissemination, and was mistakenly released over the weekend.
Upon realizing the error, Stratton clarified that what she had received was an endorsement pamphlet, which had created the confusion. In response, the Jackson family issued a retraction and apology. On Monday, Yusef Jackson, the reverend’s son, clarified the situation, emphasizing that the document was an unauthorized draft sample ballot. He stressed, “It is important to note that the Jackson Family does not issue political endorsements, nor do Rainbow PUSH or the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.”
The situation prompted Jackson family members to issue a retraction and an apology. On Monday, the reverend’s son, Yusef Jackson, sent out a statement, saying that it was a draft sample ballot, released without authorization, adding, “It is important to note that the Jackson Family does not issue political endorsements, nor do Rainbow PUSH or the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.”
On Monday morning, Stratton greeted supporters outside of a polling place as she made her final push for votes with one day left until Election Day.
Rep. Robin Kelly greeted voters outside a Pilsen polling place, calling out Stratton for not better vetting the endorsement with the family before publicizing it on Saturday.
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“Mrs. Jackson did call me and apologize, and I told her she definitely didn’t have to apologize,” Kelly said. “You know, we lost Reverend Jackson, but they lost a dad, a husband, you know. So, I told her she didn’t have to do that. But she said, yes, she did, and that he would have never done that.”
Meanwhile, a new poll of likely Democratic primary voters shows this Senate race may be too close to call. Krishnamoorthi, with 31.6%, holds a two-point lead over Stratton, with 29.4%. That’s less than the margin of error. Kelly remains a distant third, with 13.6%.
“I think it’s going to be a close election, so I want all my folks, please, please come out and vote. I know it’s 20 degrees outside, but it’s 70 degrees inside, and you’re going to be voting inside, so come inside and vote,” Krishnamoorthi said. “I feel very good about my good friends in organized labor, like the Teamsters, who are doing incredible work, knocking on doors, making phone calls, sending text messages, asking people to vote.”
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“I’ve been running this campaign for 11 months, doing everything that I can to talk to voters, and as you know, we have the momentum right now, and the last three consecutive polls show that I’m in the lead,” Stratton said.
That’s according to Stratton’s own internal polls. Meanwhile, Kelly remains optimistic.
“All I’m going to say is that I’m getting in front of as many people as possible. I’m getting great response on the ground. I can’t tell you how many people have said to me, organizations, ‘We got you. We got you.’ So, we’ll see tomorrow, March 17,” Kelly said.
The candidates will be out campaigning again on Tuesday, leaving nothing to chance and hoping to connect with every voter possible, knowing that in a close race, every vote matters. The question is, will we have a winner on Tuesday night, or could it take another day or so?
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