A group of prominent Democratic women, including several members of Congress and former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, is blasting EMILY’s List for endorsing Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in the state’s open U.S. Senate race, accusing the group of caving to “money and influence” from Gov. JB Pritzker’s (D-IL) political machine.
In a letter obtained by the Washington Examiner, the lawmakers, who are backing Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) criticized EMILY’s List’s Oct. 3 endorsement of Stratton, saying they were “shocked” EMILY’s List would “weigh in on a race with two Democratic women candidates vying for the seat,” calling the endorsement “uneven” and “unfair.” The letter accuses the group of letting “billionaire backing or political gamesmanship” dictate its decisions and says the move “betrays EMILY’s List’s long record of fairly and thoughtfully lifting up qualified women for higher office.”
Oct. 3 Emilys List by web-producers
The decision marks a departure from EMILY’s List’s typical approach. The group only endorses Democratic women who support abortion rights and, in recent years, has generally stayed neutral when two such candidates face off in a major primary. But in Illinois, it chose a side, backing Stratton and setting off a wave of anger among allies of Kelly and members of the party’s progressive wing.
“We are dismayed that in a time of crisis and chaos in our country, EMILY’s List would choose to divide Democrats rather than celebrate two Black women running to make history,” the letter states. “It is hard for us to believe this endorsement is anything other than money and influence winning again in politics.”
The dispute underscores an intensifying divide within the Democratic Party between establishment forces aligned with major donors and progressives who say those same networks are shutting out grassroots women candidates.
“Democratic voters are pretty upset at rigged systems right now, especially those run by rich and powerful people,” said an Illinois Democratic operative familiar with the race. “If the accusation that the governor’s money or influence limited their ability to choose their own senator is true, that can explode.”
The operative said the reaction to the letter reflects “how raw things are inside the party” after years of growing frustration with political elites. “There’s a lot of anger out there about who gets to decide about insiders pulling strings, and big donors making the calls instead of voters,” the person said. “People are tired of politics feeling predetermined before anyone even votes.”
Sen. Dick Durbin’s (D-IL) retirement has created a rare open Senate seat in the blue state, triggering a competitive three-way Democratic primary between Stratton, Kelly, and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a prolific fundraiser who has already been on the air with TV ads since July.
Stratton, a close ally of Pritzker, enters the race with the weight of the state’s Democratic establishment behind her. She benefits from the governor’s well-funded political network and support that could bring money and organizing muscle. She has also secured endorsements from Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.
Kelly, by contrast, has consolidated backing from Washington. Eighteen members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including Chair Yvette Clarke (D-NY), endorsed her earlier this year. A former chairwoman of the Illinois Democratic Party, Kelly has long clashed with Pritzker’s inner circle, particularly over control of the state party apparatus.
Still, not all Illinois Democrats in Congress are lining up behind Kelly. Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL), the state’s longest-serving House member and the only sitting Illinois House Democrat to make an endorsement so far, told the Chicago Tribune that while he respects the caucus’s political arm, he trusts his own judgment. “I’ve got a lot of respect for the Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee,” Davis said, “but I know things about Illinois that they don’t know.”
The Illinois Democratic operative said the uproar over EMILY’s List’s endorsement captures a deep frustration among local Democrats who feel decisions about Illinois races are increasingly being made by powerful donors and national groups. “People around here know how the game works,” the operative said. “When D.C. or major donors start weighing in, it stops feeling like a grassroots campaign and starts feeling like a coronation. That’s when people tune out or turn on you.”
A person familiar with the endorsement defended EMILY’s List’s decision, saying Stratton “is building the strongest campaign and the support infrastructure needed to win this nomination.” The individual added that with six months until the primary, “41% of Illinois primary voters remain undecided,” and that Stratton “has the most potential for growth with paid communication behind her.”
EMILY’s List, in response to the letter, stood by its decision. “Our mission at EMILY’s List is clear, it’s to elect Democratic, pro-choice women who aren’t afraid to take on tough fights, and Juliana Stratton really embodies that mission,” said Yari Aquino, the group’s senior director of communications.
ILLINOIS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES RUN FOR SENATE AFTER DURBIN RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
“She’s shown bold leadership and a steadfast commitment to standing up for the people of Illinois as lieutenant governor. We’ve proudly supported her since her first campaign in 2018, and we’re excited to be behind her as she brings her voice to the U.S. Senate, where her leadership is more important now than ever,” Aquino added.
Pritzker’s office did not respond to a request for comment on the allegations in the letter.
