Key takeaways:
- Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is projected to have won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Senator Dick Durbin, leading with 39.4% of the vote and set to face Republican Don Tracy in the general election.
- The primary featured intense fundraising, with Stratton benefiting from over $10 million in outside spending largely funded by Governor J.B. Pritzker, despite raising less than her main rival Raja Krishnamoorthi.
- Stratton campaigned as a progressive advocating Medicare for All, a $25 minimum wage, and ICE abolition, and would become the sixth Black woman and fourth African American senator from Illinois if elected.
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is projected to have won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by longtime Senator Dick Durbin, according to multiple news outlets. With approximately 80% of precincts reporting, Stratton led the field of 10 candidates with around 39.4% of the vote, followed by U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi at 33.6% and Robin Kelly at 18.4%. Stratton’s victory positions her to face Don Tracy, a former Illinois Republican Party chairman and attorney, who is projected to win the Republican primary for the same Senate seat.
Durbin, who has served in the Senate since 1997 and currently holds the position of Senate Democratic Whip, announced his retirement, triggering a highly competitive and costly race. Durbin’s departure is expected to prompt changes in Democratic Senate leadership. The Illinois Senate seat has historically favored Democrats, with only two Republicans winning since Durbin’s initial election: Peter Fitzgerald in 1998 and Mark Kirk in 2010. This historical trend, combined with Illinois’ recent voting patterns, makes Stratton the strong favorite heading into the November general election.
The Democratic primary was marked by intense fundraising and campaign spending. Krishnamoorthi raised over $30 million, significantly outpacing his rivals, while Stratton raised more than $4 million and Kelly over $3 million. However, Stratton benefited from substantial outside spending, particularly from the Illinois Future PAC, which spent more than $10 million supporting her candidacy. This PAC was largely funded by Governor J.B. Pritzker, who contributed at least $5 million. The role of Pritzker’s financial backing became a focal point during the campaign, with Kelly questioning Stratton’s ties to the governor’s funding, despite Stratton’s stance against accepting corporate PAC money.
Stratton, a South Side Chicago native and former state legislator, campaigned as a progressive candidate advocating for policies such as Medicare for All, a $25 minimum wage, and the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She criticized the current federal administration and expressed a desire to be a strong check on former President Donald Trump’s influence. Stratton also distinguished herself by stating she would not support Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for continued leadership, emphasizing the need for “fighters” in Washington. If elected, Stratton would become the sixth Black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate and the fourth African American senator from Illinois, joining Carol Moseley Braun, Barack Obama, and Roland Burris.
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