Juliana Stratton wins Illinois Democratic primary for US Senate

March 18, 2026

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton won the Democratic primary for US Senate in an upset victory, pulling ahead of Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi despite trailing in polls for months. Her campaign gained momentum after receiving Governor JB Pritzker's endorsement and approximately $12 million in financial backing, while she distinguished herself by calling for complete abolition of ICE rather than just reforming Trump-era policies. The Democratic primary saw exceptionally high voter participation with over 1.

Who is affected

Juliana Stratton (primary winner)
Raja Krishnamoorthi (defeated opponent)
Senator Dick Durbin (retiring incumbent)
Governor JB Pritzker (supporter/donor)
Illinois Democratic primary voters (over 1.1 million participants)
Angela Alsobrooks and Lisa Rochester (current Black women senators)
Republican opponent (to be faced in November)

What action is being taken

Stratton is leading with roughly 90% of votes tallied
Senator Dick Durbin is retiring next year after five terms
Over 1.1 million votes are being tallied in the Democratic primary

Why it matters

This race represents a significant political upset and demonstrates how late campaign support and bold policy positions can shift electoral outcomes. The exceptionally high primary turnout for a non-presidential year indicates strong voter engagement on issues like immigration enforcement. Historically, Stratton's potential election would mark a milestone for representation, as she would become only the sixth Black woman ever to serve in the US Senate and create the first instance of three Black women serving simultaneously in the chamber's 237-year history.

What's next

The November midterm general election, where Stratton will face her Republican opponent for the Senate seat.

Read full article from source: BBC