Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton wins Illinois Senate Democratic primary for Durbins seat in key test of Pritzkers influence
WASHINGTON — Illinois Lt.Gov.
Juliana Stratton emerged victorious Tuesday from a bruising Democratic primary to succeed retiring Sen.Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), in a key test of billionaire Gov.
JB Pritzker’s political clout as he draws 2028 buzz.Pritzer had thrown his weight behind Stratton, his second-in-command for his entire governorship, touting her progressive track record and praising her as a “fighter.”The Democratic primary had largely turned into a three-way race between Stratton and US Reps.Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly.Stratton held about 40% of the vote when the Associated Press called the race in her favor.
Krishnamoorthi received 33% of the vote and Kelly garnered 18% support.“I was proud to run with her in our last two elections, proud to serve alongside her for the last seven years, and proud to endorse her US Senate campaign,” Pritzker said remarks Tuesday night.“She is an outstanding, kind and genuine person who loves this state with all her heart, and I am grateful for her and for all that we have achieved together.”Krishnamoorthi had been the top Democrat on the House Select Committee on China until he stepped down in January, while Kelly is a former chair of the Illinois Democratic Party.The race was dominated by a debate on how to respond to President Trump’s aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration.
Stratton pushed to abolish US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) completely, while Krishnamoorthi called for reforms doing away with “Trump’s ICE,” and Kelly introduced articles of impeachment against then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem prior to her firing by President Trump March 5.Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune, reached deep into his pockets to buoy Stratton, donating at least $5 million to the Illinois Future PAC, which supported the lieutenant governor to the tune of at least $14 million.But super PACs backing Krishnamoorthi dwarfed that total, with the India-born lawmaker raising ...