Stratton Wins Senate Primary as Pritzker’s Backing Proves Pivotal
Juliana Stratton won the Democratic Senate primary with strong Chicago and downstate support, aided by Gov. JB Pritzker’s super PAC and heavy outside spending in Chicagoland races.
Chicago Sun-TimesJuliana Stratton’s strong suburban and downstate numbers helped fuel her Senate primary victory
CBS NewsIllinois primaries show political power of Pritzker, limits for outside spending and more takeaways
Chicago Sun-TimesGov. JB Pritzker flexes political muscle through Juliana Stratton's decisive Senate primary win
NBC NewsJB Pritzker flexes his political muscle: From the Politics Desk
Overview
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the Democratic Senate primary, carrying 44 of Chicago's 50 wards and leading statewide 40.1% to Raja Krishnamoorthi's 33.2% with 92% of returns, officials said.
The result handed Gov. JB Pritzker a close political ally in the Senate and tested his influence after he funded a pro-Stratton super PAC with at least $5 million, officials said.
Rep. Robin Kelly and members of the Congressional Black Caucus expressed frustration over Pritzker's involvement, while Pritzker said Stratton won on her own merits and he aimed to counter outside special-interest spending, he said.
Outside groups spent over $52.7 million in the contests, including about $10 million by a pro-crypto PAC against Stratton and more than $21 million spent by pro-Israel groups across four Chicagoland races, filings show.
She will face Republican nominee Don Tracy in the November general election in Illinois, officials said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Stratton's primary win as a momentum-driven, progressive triumph by using celebratory language ('surprise win', 'late surge'), foregrounding establishment support (a reported $12 million cash injection from Gov. Pritzker) and historic significance (potential sixth Black female senator). They emphasize Stratton's quotes about 'courage' and ICE abolition while portraying Krishnamoorthi as 'more measured'.
FAQ
Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the Democratic primary for the US Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Dick Durbin.