US Election 2026 Illinois

Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton waves during a primary election night watch party after winning the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Chicago.

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Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton wins Democratic primary for US Senate

Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton wins Democratic primary for US Senate

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton of Illinois has won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. She will face Republican nominee Don Tracy in the November general election. The retirement of Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin triggered a competitive campaign. It drew as candidates two sitting members of the U.S. House and the state’s lieutenant governor, among others. Furious fundraising and sharp elbows marked the race. It also tested the influence of Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker. The races were also testing grounds for some of the biggest issues facing the Democratic Party, from support for Israel to immigration enforcement and the cryptocurrency and AI industries. Super PACs poured millions into the hotly contested primaries.