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Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, NBC News projects, defeating two sitting members of Congress in a high-profile and expensive race to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin.
Stratton overcame Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, consolidating support in vote-rich areas and benefiting from strong backing by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
With about 80% of the expected vote counted, Stratton led in Chicago and across Cook County, holding roughly 40% of the vote compared to Krishnamoorthi’s 29% and Kelly’s 23%.
Victory powered by endorsements, outside spending
Stratton, a South Side native, built a coalition that helped offset a major fundraising gap. Krishnamoorthi spent roughly $29 million on advertising during the primary, compared to about $1.1 million from Stratton’s campaign, according to ad tracking data.
Outside groups played a decisive role. A political action committee backed by Pritzker spent nearly $15 million boosting Stratton and attacking Krishnamoorthi, while a cryptocurrency-funded group spent millions opposing her.
Stratton also secured endorsements from key Democrats, including Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Campaign focused on confronting Trump
Throughout the race, Stratton positioned herself as a progressive candidate willing to confront President Donald Trumpand challenge Democratic leadership in Washington.
“What I’ve heard from people very clearly is that they are fed up with what’s happening in Washington,” Stratton said in a recent interview, criticizing Trump’s leadership and calling for stronger opposition from Democrats.
She also broke with party leadership, saying she would not support Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to continue leading Democrats in the chamber.
“They want someone who’s going to fight,” Stratton said. “We need fighters and not folders.”
Policy differences shape race
The three candidates drew distinctions on key issues, including immigration policy.
Stratton backed progressive priorities such as “Medicare for All,” a $25 minimum wage and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, aligning herself with the party’s left flank.
Her opponents offered varying approaches, with Krishnamoorthi calling to dismantle Trump-era immigration enforcement and Kelly proposing broader changes to the Department of Homeland Security.
Historic implications
If elected in November, Stratton would become the sixth Black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate — and could contribute to the first time three Black women serve simultaneously.
She is expected to enter the general election as the favorite in heavily Democratic Illinois, where Democratic presidential nominees have consistently carried the state in recent cycles.
Stratton will face Republican nominee Don Tracy, the former Illinois Republican Party chairman, in November.
