Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has egg on her face after having claimed that the late Rev. Jesse Jackson endorsed her campaign. Jackson’s family has since come out to say that the endorsement was never finalized.
Jackson’s Rainbow Coalition had circulated some sample ballots that included Stratton’s name, but, according to his family, the ballot had not yet been formally approved by the reverend.
Now, Stratton is facing heavy criticism, something Jackson’s family has not been shy about with politicians.
During the memorial service for Jackson on March 6, 2026, three former Democrat presidents stood before the attendees and did what politicians do.
Former presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden all told their stories about Jackson. And while Clinton kept his more personal, Obama and Biden both used their time at the pulpit to politicize the event.
That did not sit well with the Jackson family, and Jesse Jackson Jr., a former congressman and the reverend's eldest son, absolutely shredded them for their comments the next day at another service for his father.
Yahoo reported that Jackson Jr. responded, "Yesterday, I listened for several hours to three United States presidents who do not know Jesse Jackson.” He went on to describe the “tense” relationship his father had with politicians, not exactly how any of the three former Democrat presidents had described their relationship.
One would think, given how bold that rebuke was against the former presidents, Stratton would have been a bit more careful about her comments to boost her Senate run.
Yet, this week, while talking to MSNOW, she claimed that Jackson endorsed her campaign.
She posted the video on Facebook, along with a post that read, “I learned this morning that I received Rev. Jesse Jackson's personal endorsement before he passed.
“I'm deeply moved and honored to have his trust and support, and I will work day and night to carry on his legacy for the people of Illinois when I get to the United States Senate.”
The Jackson family was less than thrilled that yet another politician took liberties with Jackson’s name.
After the Stratton interview aired and she made that post, another son of Jackson’s, Yesuf Jackson, who also heads the Rainbow Coalition, stated, "Earlier this year, despite ongoing challenges with mobility and his declining health, Reverend Jackson began the process of reviewing candidates and identifying those he intended to support in the upcoming primary election. However, he did not live long enough to finish the process.
"Out of respect for my father, we decided not to publicly release his intended selections given the process had not been finalized. However, due to an internal miscommunication, a draft sample ballot was released by a staff person who did not have authorization."
Fox News then reported that Jackson further stated that out of respect for his father, the organization would not be releasing any endorsements using his father’s name.
