An unusual endorsement in Illinois' hotly contested Democratic U.S. Senate primary sparked questions one day before the deadline for voters to cast their ballots.
And now, that endorsement appears to have been withdrawn.
Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton told reporters Monday that a pamphlet produced by the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition shows her campaign received the endorsement of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, who died last month.
"People were handing out these brochures," said Stratton, who showed reporters the pamphlet while greeting voters at the Chicago Public Library Lincoln Park branch, 1150 W. Fullerton Ave. "It was a flyer that was given out to people as they were leaving Rainbow/PUSH. Some of the officials came up to me and said 'you know what? Before he passed, the Reverend gave you his endorsement,' and I was thrilled to hear that."
The pamphlet's cover featured pictures of the Rev. Jackson and his son Yusef, who's now the head of Rainbow/PUSH, and it contained endorsements in a number of local races.
"It's not just me - but I am one of them," Stratton said.
However, Chicago Congressman Jonathan Jackson tells POLITICO his father would never have endorsed one Black candidate over another. Three Black women are in this race, including South side Congresswoman Robin Kelly. The news site quoted Rep. Jackson (D-1st District) as saying the announcement "smells of desperation."
Stratton has been locked in a fierce battle with northwest suburban Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and eight other Democrats in the race to succeed the retiring Dick Durbin.
During an appearance at Pace headquarters, 547 W. Jackson Blvd., Rep. Krishnamoorthi (D-8th District) joked that his staff was looking for other historical figures who could offer endorsements from "beyond the grave."
"I think they (the Stratton campaign) need to answer some serious questions about this," Rep. Krishnamoorthi said. "This is just another example of saying one thing, doing another."
Later in the day, Yusef Jackson released a statement saying in part the apparent endorsement was part of a "draft sample ballot" that was not supposed to be released, and that his father's wishes had not been finalized before his death.