Jesse Jackson to back Zopp for Senate over Duckworth, Harris

The Rev. Jesse Jackson will endorse Democrat Andrea Zopp for U.S. Senate Sunday, her campaign announced.

Jackson previously had come to Zopp's defense last summer when the national Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee endorsed Rep. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates early in the campaign.

Sunday's event makes Jackson's choice of Zopp, the former Chicago Urban League CEO, official.

Zopp is running against Duckworth and state Sen. Napoleon Harris of Harvey for the seat now held by Republican Sen. Mark Kirk of Highland Park.

Duckworth's campaign didn't comment, but Sen. Dick Durbin, one of her highest-profile supporters, told the Daily Herald editorial board Friday he wasn't surprised by the endorsement. Durbin said Duckworth, a second-term member of Congress, would do well among black voters in the March 15 primary.

"There's also another African-American candidate ... Napoleon Harris, who calls me from time to time and talks to me about the course of his campaign," Durbin said.

"These primaries are creating divisions within the party which I hope will heal the day after," Durbin said.

The Illinois primary is March 15.