In the days since Dick Durbin, D-Ill., announced he would not seek reelection in 2026, several candidates have emerged in the race for his Senate seat. The first bid announcement came from Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, one of the most well-endorsed candidates.
Backed by the approval of Gov. JB Pritzker and Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Stratton is poised to begin her run at the seat following her April 25 announcement.
“Juliana has not only proven to be an experienced and effective Lieutenant Governor — she’s demonstrated time and again that she truly understands and cares for working people,” Duckworth said. “I’d be honored to have her by my side in the Senate as we work to deliver real results for Illinoisans, and I’m proud to endorse her campaign for the United States Senate.”
In a similarly glowing statement, Pritzker praised Stratton’s leadership qualities and fight for working families.
“Juliana’s lived experience has made her a passionate and compassionate advocate able to get big things done,” Pritzker said. “I’m proud to call her not just a partner in governance, but a true friend.”
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Stratton’s campaign announcement focused on that advocacy, taking aim at the Trump administration that has proposed health care cuts, enforced “reckless” tariffs and continued with “the same old things they’ve always done.”
The legacy Stratton has built as Lieutenant Governor includes creating and maintaining programs such as the Justice, Equity, and Opportunity and We Thrive initiatives. She also chairs the Illinois Council on Women and Girls and the R3 Board (Restore, Reinvest, Renew).
“My story isn’t the story of a typical senator,” Stratton said in her campaign announcement. “Then again, typical isn’t what we need right now.”
The story of Stratton’s Senate race won’t be easy. Durbin said in an interview that he has heard “at least a dozen” candidates express serious interest in the position. Among the other potential candidates are U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., Robin Kelly, D-Ill., and Lauren Underwood, D-Ill.
The race is already heating up. Illinoisans can expect to see more competition as official bid announcements continue to roll in throughout the coming weeks.
