Illinois’ lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, has claimed a surprising victory in the Democratic primary to succeed Senator Dick Durbin. With about 90% of the votes counted, Stratton led Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi by over six percentage points.
Stratton celebrated her win, stating, “We did it! Tonight, we showed what’s possible when you listen to the people.” Her campaign has focused on issues like immigration and health care, including calls for Medicare for all and abolishing ICE.
Backed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Stratton gained momentum in recent weeks after previously trailing in the polls. Her rise was fueled by a cash influx from Pritzker and shifting opinions on immigration. Even though she had competition from Congresswoman Robin Kelly, who received less than 20% of the votes, Stratton emerged as the clear favorite.
Durbin, stepping down after five terms, leaves behind a long legacy. The Democratic winner is expected to take the general election in November; Republicans haven’t won a statewide race in Illinois in over ten years. Stratton may become the 15th Black senator in U.S. history when she faces off against former Republican state party chair Don Tracy.
Turnout for this primary has been notably high, with over 1.14 million votes counted. This is expected to surpass the turnout in the 2004 primary, which saw Barack Obama secure the Democratic nomination.
The immigration debate set Stratton and Krishnamoorthi apart. Stratton’s bold stance against ICE contrasts with Krishnamoorthi’s more moderate approach, which involves advocating for changes to “Trump’s ICE.” Despite raising over $30 million for his campaign, Krishnamoorthi faced scrutiny for his funding sources, including ties to Trump supporters.
Following the results, Krishnamoorthi graciously conceded, offering full support to Stratton. “Unlike Donald Trump, I’m not going to question the outcome,” he stated. Durbin, who did not endorse anyone during the race, expressed eagerness to pass the torch to Stratton.
Stratton’s campaign was also boosted by the Illinois Future PAC, running ads in her favor. She often reflects on her late father, a civil rights activist, stressing the importance of resilience and fighting for justice. Highlighting her promises, she mentioned her commitment to substantial wage increases and restoring the democratic process.
With each passing election, it’s clear that voters are increasingly engaged in the political landscape. As Stratton gears up for the general election, one can observe a trend of growing voter participation and pressing concerns over immigration and healthcare in American politics.
For more insights on voter trends and participation in elections, visit the Pew Research Center.
