Ex-Sen. Braun endorses, too
By Chinta Strausberg
Chief Apostle William McCoy is leading a unity campaign to increase supporters for Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton who is hoping to become the third African American female U.S. Senator in the nation’s history.
In an interview with the Chicago Crusader, McCoy, who is head of Brothers Keepers Outreach Church, made a clarion call for unity for Stratton’s Senate run a few days after she announced her candidacy on April 24th.
McCoy’s plea for unity for Stratton also came a day after Senator Dick Durbin, who has been in office since 1997, announced he would not run for re-election after his term ends in 2026.
After talking to Stratton, McCoy said, “She has a passion for the community, and she is really a creative person. I think she can bring some new ideas to the people in Washington. “I am going to keep promoting unity for Stratton. Where there is unity, there is strength,” he said.
“My job is to unify the community to help support her. We got to come together and restore relationships. Unity defeats all disorder,” McCoy stated. “Whenever we come together, we are a force to be reckoned with.”
Praising Stratton for her legislative accomplishments, Chief Apostle McCoy said, “She’s a little fighter. She is what we need in Washington.”
Also endorsing Stratton is the former first elected African American U.S. Senator Carol Moseley Braun who on Tuesday, April 29th, told the Chicago Crusader, “I endorsed her two days ago. She has done a good job. She is honest and wants to do the work. I appreciate that. It takes a lot more work than people realize.”
When asked if she has any advice as a former senator, Braun said, “She’s got to pay attention to the whole state. As senator, you don’t have the same kind of support that you do as lieutenant governor.
“She has to be ready to fly on her own and not rely on JB to carry her. It’s going to take a lot of work, but I think she can do it,” said Braun.
“I am excited for her running,” said Illinois Senator Mattie Hunter (D-3rd). “She is my constituent, my former State Representative, and she is a sorority sister,” referring to the AKA sorority. I think she would make a great senator.”
Asked what Stratton’s run for the U.S. Senate means for the African American community, Sen. Hunter said, “This is the season for women. There has been a record number of women last year and this y 8ear who have run for all kinds of races around the country on all levels. Today, we have two Black female U.S. senators and Juliana would make it three.”
Senator Hunter was referring to U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt (D-DE) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD). Currently there are a total of five African American Senators including three, Black men, Tim Scott (R-SC) Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ).
Also endorsing Stratton is Dr. Wallace “Gator” Bradley, who just earned his Ph.D. from the IPAE Midwest Bible Institute majoring in Urban Ministry and Social Justice, said Stratton, “will make sure that Illinois stays blue and with a purpose.”