3/18/2026 | USA | politics | ✓ Verified - politico.com

Stratton wins Illinois primary, giving Dems another Black female senator

#Juliana Stratton #Illinois Senate primary #Black women in Senate #JB Pritzker #Democratic Party #outside spending #Raja Krishnamoorthi #Congressional Black Caucus

📌 Key Takeaways

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the Democratic primary for Illinois' open U.S. Senate seat, defeating Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi.
Her victory, powered by heavy outside spending and endorsements from Gov. JB Pritzker and Sen. Tammy Duckworth, makes her the likely next senator from the blue state.
If elected in November, Stratton would become the sixth Black woman ever to serve in the U.S. Senate.
The primary was marked by intraparty conflict over race and corporate money, with the Congressional Black Caucus warning Pritzker's involvement could split the Black vote.
Stratton will face former Illinois Republican Party chair Don Tracy in the general election.

📖 Full Retelling

CHICAGO — Democrats are now all but certain to elect another Black woman to the U.S. Senate after Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won Tuesday’s bitter and expensive primary in Illinois. Stratton overcame a crowded Democratic contest for the state’s open Senate seat, defeating front-runner Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi with the help of millions of dollars of outside spending — much of it from her old running mate, Gov. JB Pritzker. She is widely seen as the favorite to succeed Sen. Dick Durbin in the blue state and would become the sixth Black woman to have ever served in the upper chamber. The contest was defined by heavy outside spending and intraparty fissures over race. It became contentions during the final weeks, with Krishnamoorthi and Stratton trading sharp attacks on the debate stage and blasting each other in TV ads over corporate money and immigration policy. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus — who backed a different contender, Rep. Robin Kelly, in the primary — also warned that Pritzker’s interference could split the Black vote and cost Democrats a chance at electing a Black woman to the Senate this year. Stratton’s late surge was powered by a combination of endorsements, outside spending and targeted messaging. She benefited from the support of Pritzker and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.). Illinois Future PAC, which received major cash infusions from Pritzker and other allies, spent at least $11.8 million boosting Stratton’s campaign and attacking Krishnamoorthi. Stratton will face Don Tracy, a former Illinois Republican Party chair, in November. If elected, she would become the second Black woman to be nominated to the Senate from Illinois, following Carol Moseley Braun — who endorsed Stratton in the contest.

🏷️ Themes

Election, Race, Party Politics

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Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

This primary victory matters because it significantly increases the likelihood of adding another Black woman to the U.S. Senate, which currently has only five Black women who have ever served in its history. It affects Democratic Party dynamics by highlighting internal tensions over race, money in politics, and establishment influence in primary elections. The outcome also impacts Illinois politics by potentially shifting representation and power structures within the state's Democratic delegation for years to come.

Context & Background

Only five Black women have ever served in the U.S. Senate throughout American history, making this a significant demographic milestone
Illinois currently has two Democratic senators - Dick Durbin (retiring) and Tammy Duckworth - making this an open seat in a solidly blue state
Carol Moseley Braun was the first and only Black woman elected to the Senate from Illinois, serving from 1993-1999
The Congressional Black Caucus had endorsed a different candidate (Rep. Robin Kelly), revealing divisions within Black political leadership
Governor JB Pritzker spent millions through a PAC to influence the primary outcome, continuing a trend of wealthy politicians shaping down-ballot races

What Happens Next

Stratton will face Republican nominee Don Tracy in the November general election, where she is heavily favored in Democratic-leaning Illinois. The general election campaign will likely focus on contrasting her progressive platform with Tracy's conservative positions. If elected, she would join the Senate in January 2025 and potentially influence committee assignments and legislative priorities, particularly on issues important to Black communities and Illinois constituents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this Senate seat open?

Longtime Senator Dick Durbin is retiring after serving since 1997, creating an open seat that has attracted significant Democratic primary competition due to Illinois' reliably blue voting patterns in federal elections.

How did outside money influence this primary?

Governor Pritzker and allies poured over $11.8 million through Illinois Future PAC to support Stratton, funding ads that attacked her main opponent and boosted her profile, demonstrating how wealthy donors can shape primary outcomes even in down-ballot races.

What divisions emerged within the Democratic Party?

The Congressional Black Caucus backed a different candidate (Robin Kelly) while Governor Pritzker and Senator Duckworth supported Stratton, creating tensions over race, establishment influence, and who should represent Black political interests in Illinois.

How significant would Stratton's election be historically?

She would become only the sixth Black woman ever to serve in the U.S. Senate and the second from Illinois, following Carol Moseley Braun, highlighting the ongoing underrepresentation of Black women in the highest levels of American government.

What are Stratton's chances in the general election?

She is heavily favored to win in November since Illinois consistently elects Democrats to statewide office, with the last Republican senator from Illinois leaving office in 2019 after the state's political landscape shifted leftward.

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Original Source

              CHICAGO — Democrats are now all but certain to elect another Black woman to the U.S. Senate after Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won Tuesday’s bitter and expensive primary in Illinois.  
 Stratton overcame a crowded Democratic contest for the state’s open Senate seat, defeating front-runner Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi with the help of millions of dollars of outside spending — much of it from her old running mate, Gov. JB Pritzker.  
 She is widely seen as the favorite to succeed Sen. Dick Durbin in the blue state and would become the sixth Black woman to have ever served in the upper chamber.   The contest was defined by heavy outside spending and intraparty fissures over race. It became contentions during the final weeks, with Krishnamoorthi and Stratton trading sharp attacks on the debate stage and blasting each other in TV ads over corporate money and immigration policy.  
 Members of the Congressional Black Caucus — who backed a different contender, Rep. Robin Kelly, in the primary —  also warned  that Pritzker’s interference could split the Black vote and cost Democrats a chance at electing a Black woman to the Senate this year.  
 Stratton’s late surge was powered by a combination of endorsements, outside spending and targeted messaging. She benefited from the support of Pritzker and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.). Illinois Future PAC, which received major cash infusions from Pritzker and other allies, spent at least $11.8 million boosting Stratton’s campaign and attacking Krishnamoorthi.  
 Stratton will face Don Tracy, a former Illinois Republican Party chair, in November. If elected, she would become the second Black woman to be nominated to the Senate from Illinois, following Carol Moseley Braun — who endorsed Stratton in the contest.
            

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