Illinois Top Democrat Prepares Senate Campaign — and Announces Significant Support
Juliana Stratton has informed her fellow Democrats of her intention to run if Senator Dick Durbin decides to retire, and she has received support from Governor JB Pritzker.
TroibNews 
Ambitious Illinois Democrats are envisioning a future without Sen. Dick Durbin as he approaches 2026. The latest potential contender is the state’s lieutenant governor.
Juliana Stratton, having taken office in 2019, is subtly positioning herself for a Senate campaign in the event that Durbin decides to step aside. She has been reaching out to prominent Democratic figures for their support, according to three sources familiar with her intentions—one of whom spoke directly with her, while the other two communicated with her team.
Stratton and her staff have indicated that she has already secured the backing of Gov. JB Pritzker, as reported by the three sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions. Her team has also made clear that she anticipates significant financial involvement from Pritzker.
“Juliana continues to keep an open mind about future opportunities, and if she does decide to pursue higher office, she’d be proud to earn the governor’s support while working to build a broad grassroots coalition,” stated a spokesperson for the lieutenant governor, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Pritzker, a prominent governor and a potential candidate for the presidency in 2028, is already a major donor and operator within the Democratic Party. His substantial personal resources would provide a significant advantage to any candidate he supports. His backing could significantly reshape the developing shadow primary, which includes several members of Illinois’ congressional delegation.
Pritzker’s team did not comment on any possible endorsement or financial support in a potential primary. “We’re not going to engage with hypotheticals for a seat that’s not even open,” said a person close to the governor’s political operation, speaking anonymously to maintain candid dialogue.
The governor selected Stratton as his running mate when she was a state representative in 2017, and he recently attended a fundraising event for her new federal PAC.
As a billionaire heir to the Hyatt hotel empire, Pritzker could lend his support to her PAC or contribute millions to other super PACs backing her campaign. Such financial support could position Stratton as the frontrunner in a primary that might essentially secure a Senate seat in the deeply Democratic state.
If a candidate backed by Pritzker emerges victorious, it could further cement his status as a key power broker in the Democratic Party, influencing politics beyond Illinois as the 2028 election nears.
Durbin has been in the Senate since 1997, and while many Democrats believe the 80-year-old will retire, sources close to him insist that he has not yet made a decision.
In a brief interview on Wednesday, Durbin confirmed that the lieutenant governor is among those preparing for his potential retirement: "She said if I run she's not going to."
Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi has been building his campaign funds for a Senate run, accumulating $17.1 million by the end of 2024. Other Democratic Representatives, including Lauren Underwood, who won a previously Republican-held district in 2018, and Robin Kelly, the former chair of the Illinois Democratic Party, are also considering a bid for the seat.
Additionally, Illinois Democrats are speculating on the future of Rahm Emanuel, the former Chicago mayor who has recently returned from serving as an ambassador in Japan. Currently, he is a commentator on CNN.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
Juliana Stratton, having taken office in 2019, is subtly positioning herself for a Senate campaign in the event that Durbin decides to step aside. She has been reaching out to prominent Democratic figures for their support, according to three sources familiar with her intentions—one of whom spoke directly with her, while the other two communicated with her team.
Stratton and her staff have indicated that she has already secured the backing of Gov. JB Pritzker, as reported by the three sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions. Her team has also made clear that she anticipates significant financial involvement from Pritzker.
“Juliana continues to keep an open mind about future opportunities, and if she does decide to pursue higher office, she’d be proud to earn the governor’s support while working to build a broad grassroots coalition,” stated a spokesperson for the lieutenant governor, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Pritzker, a prominent governor and a potential candidate for the presidency in 2028, is already a major donor and operator within the Democratic Party. His substantial personal resources would provide a significant advantage to any candidate he supports. His backing could significantly reshape the developing shadow primary, which includes several members of Illinois’ congressional delegation.
Pritzker’s team did not comment on any possible endorsement or financial support in a potential primary. “We’re not going to engage with hypotheticals for a seat that’s not even open,” said a person close to the governor’s political operation, speaking anonymously to maintain candid dialogue.
The governor selected Stratton as his running mate when she was a state representative in 2017, and he recently attended a fundraising event for her new federal PAC.
As a billionaire heir to the Hyatt hotel empire, Pritzker could lend his support to her PAC or contribute millions to other super PACs backing her campaign. Such financial support could position Stratton as the frontrunner in a primary that might essentially secure a Senate seat in the deeply Democratic state.
If a candidate backed by Pritzker emerges victorious, it could further cement his status as a key power broker in the Democratic Party, influencing politics beyond Illinois as the 2028 election nears.
Durbin has been in the Senate since 1997, and while many Democrats believe the 80-year-old will retire, sources close to him insist that he has not yet made a decision.
In a brief interview on Wednesday, Durbin confirmed that the lieutenant governor is among those preparing for his potential retirement: "She said if I run she's not going to."
Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi has been building his campaign funds for a Senate run, accumulating $17.1 million by the end of 2024. Other Democratic Representatives, including Lauren Underwood, who won a previously Republican-held district in 2018, and Robin Kelly, the former chair of the Illinois Democratic Party, are also considering a bid for the seat.
Additionally, Illinois Democrats are speculating on the future of Rahm Emanuel, the former Chicago mayor who has recently returned from serving as an ambassador in Japan. Currently, he is a commentator on CNN.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
