The Illinois results cement JB Pritzker’s ‘powerhouse’ role – and set up a run for the White House

Carol Moseley Braun — former Illinois U.S. senator and the first black woman to hold the position — had just finished a call with Democratic Senate nominee Juliana Stratton on Wednesday when she reflected on why the win was “good” for Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.

“He’s going to have a senator on his side,” Moseley Braun said in an interview with NBC News. “Running for president – different offices, different powers are involved – but the more senators on your side, the better.”

Moseley Braun said the silent part out loud.

Officially, Pritzker is seeking a third term as governor of Illinois, winning the nomination unopposed Tuesday night and preparing to face Republican Darren Bailey.

But one of the dominant narratives coming out of Tuesday night’s primaries in the Land of Lincoln was how it all will shape Pritzker’s pursuit of the White House.

Stratton’s Senate primary win for Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who had used Stratton and aired other television commercials for a long time, now emphasized Pritzker’s role as a powerful player in the state. For Pritzker, it was important that Stratton win the race – not because he endorsed him. Stratton served as Pritzker’s attorney, and while praising him for a new, progressive platform in his Senate campaign, he also ran on the Pritzker-Stratton record.

In the months leading up to Tuesday, Krishnamoorthi was named the frontrunner, both in the polls and in fundraising. Questions have swirled about whether Pritzker really had the organization’s strategy, power and clout to get the deal done.

“It was a big test for him last night. If he had not succeeded it would have accelerated his entry into the race for the presidency. Now people will not doubt his ability to stay,” said Jim Durkin, former Republican leader in the Illinois House.

“There should be no question in one’s mind,” Durkin continued, “that JB Pritzker is an undisputed powerhouse in Illinois.”

Pritzker, a billionaire, has poured at least $5 million, as of last disclosure, into a pro-Stratton PAC. The group, Illinois Future PAC, spent $14.8 million on ads. Although it is a large amount, it still contributes to Krishnamoorthi’s spending.

A person involved in Stratton’s election said it was Pritzker who realized that Democratic voters wanted to hear from future leaders who were determined to stand up to President Donald Trump.

“Democratic primary voters are in a very different place than the pundits and thinkers think. We knew from the beginning, I think JB was one of the first to see this,” said a person involved in Stratton’s re-election campaign. “Fighting for Trump and fighting for your people would be a successful message… That’s what finally separated Juliana. We had eaten too much. It’s not JB’s money that won him this race.”

Stratton’s first campaign ad featured a series of people saying “F— Trump,” with the catchphrase heard on TV.

“It stops him because he supports a black woman to be the next member of parliament. It would be the first time we have two junior senators. It stops him and plays his story running for president,” said Democratic Alliance strategist based in Chicago, Jaimey Sexton.

Sexton noted that Pritzker’s nature would mean he would pull out all the stops to make sure Stratton had the support he needed.

“He’s got a lot of competition for this. The Bears aren’t going to Indiana, they’re going to Arlington Heights. He’s not going to have a black mark on his record between now and November 25 when he announces he’s running for president,” Sexton said, joking about the inevitability of a Pritzker presidential announcement.

Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, D-Ill., on Wednesday applauded Stratton for taking progressive positions “especially on Medicare for all, covering that, and on economic issues like raising the federal minimum wage.” Stratton supports a $25-an-hour minimum wage and stands for ending US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He also received the support of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is the national front-runner progressive who visited Illinois and met with the lieutenant governor last week.

Garcia noted that Pritzker’s decision to get more involved in the open Senate election brought “some risk and some conflict,” pointing to the third leading candidate in the race, Rep. Robin Kelly, along with some members of the Congressional Black Caucus, have expressed frustration with Pritzker’s involvement with the largesse. to finance Stratton’s election.

An unrepentant anger was evident on election night, when Kelly announced to his supporters that Stratton had won and said, “Behave!” while she seemed to affect, in part, to him.

“It’s hard to be — especially in Illinois — unbought and unhired,” Kelly told his followers, borrowing a phrase from the late Shirley Chisholm., the first black congressman. “I’m still looking in the mirror. Robin Kelly has another plan.”

Kelly congratulated Stratton the next day on X’s post and in a text message, and wished him luck in November.

Garcia said Pritzker’s involvement ended up at odds with other special interests that may have entered the race.

“He should have done what he did to help him face the good opportunity that Krishnamoorthi had because he has been planning his run for years,” said Garcia. “JB probably had a good idea about how a lot of money could come into the race … I think it was important for him to enter.”

For his part, Pritzker has repeatedly answered questions about whether he has lofty ambitions, saying he is focused solely on his job as governor. Still, it’s an open secret that he plans to run for the White House, and he’s been widely watched for years as a 2028 shortlist.

Moseley Braun addressed his concerns that it would be disrespectful to the people of Illinois for the governor to serve a third term if there was a chance he could not complete four years.

“You have done the job of being an honest governor. That is the first step. You have to do well in the job you are in, and then people will think about you so that you can be promoted,” he said. “He certainly earned the right to be president, and he will do a good job.”