Chicago, IL – Secretary of State Jesse White endorsed JB Pritzker for governor yesterday, the first endorsement by a statewide elected official in the Democratic primary for governor. The announcement at Eckhart Park was kicked off by a performance by the Jesse White Tumblers.

Here’s what Illinoisans are reading and seeing in the news about Jesse White’s endorsement:

From WBBM:

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From Politico:

JESSE WHITE IN FOR PRITZKER

As we tweeted on Tuesday, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White will endorse J.B. Pritzker for governor today, the Pritzker campaign confirmed. The Jesse White Tumbling Team will be on site for the morning news announcement. White, 83, is the state’s most popular constitutional officer and has stature across the state as well as in Chicago’s black community where Pritzker could enjoy a boost in a competitive Democratic primary for governor.

From the Chicago Tribune: Jesse White to endorse Pritzker for Democratic governor today:

Democratic governor hopeful J.B. Pritzker is set to be endorsed by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White on Wednesday.

The long-serving, popular White is the first statewide-elected Democrat to endorse in the party’s crowded governor contest. The backing comes less than a week after White’s announcement that he would seek a sixth term in 2018 rather than retire as he’d initially indicated last year.

From the Chicago Sun-Times: Pritzker nabs another endorsement: Secretary of State Jesse White:

Before letting young people leap over his head Wednesday afternoon, Secretary of State Jesse White endorsed J.B. Pritzker for governor.

White stood as a prop for the troupe of gymnasts that bear his name, the Jesse White Tumblers, before the lovefest that accompanies political endorsements ensued.

The 83-year-old Democrat, speaking from a community gymnasium in the Noble Square neighborhood, gushed about “my good friend J.B. Pritzker” and his mastery of the “art of compromise.”

In seeking to burnish support in the African-American community, Pritzker found a key ally in White.

As Illinois’ only African-American statewide elected official, White is a political icon in the black community. And he’s respected for his cordial and calm demeanor on both sides of the aisle.

The veteran pol, first elected to his current office in 1998, announced last week he’ll seek reelection.

From WJBC: White endorses Pritzker in 2018 gubernatorial race:

Chicago billionaire businessman J.B. Pritzker has received the backing of one of the state’s most senior Democratic officeholders – Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.

The 83-year-old White told WJBC’s Sam Wood that Pritzker is the best choice among a crowded Democratic field seeking to unseat incumbent Republican Governor Bruce Rauner.

White said Pritzker believes in the art of compromise.

“[Pritzker] will go with the best idea,” White said. “Sometimes, people will have their thoughts or ideas about a particular matter and he will have his…but he’ll sit down, take the best idea and go with it.”

From WMAY: Pritzker Gets Endorsement of Jesse White:

Democratic candidate for governor J.B. Pritzker has lined up another key endorsement in his campaign to unseat Republican Bruce Rauner.

Pritzker now has the support of popular Secretary of State Jesse White… who just announced that he is running for an unprecedented sixth term in office.

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