Top Illinois Democrat prepares for Senate run — and says she has significant support
Juliana Stratton has informed her fellow Democrats of her intention to run for Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat if he decides to retire, and she has confirmed that Gov. JB Pritzker will support her candidacy.
TroibNews 
Ambitious Democrats in Illinois are eyeing the possibility of Senator Dick Durbin stepping down in 2026, with the latest potential contender being the state's lieutenant governor.
Juliana Stratton, who took office in 2019, is strategically positioning herself for a Senate run should Durbin choose to retire. According to three individuals familiar with her plans—one of whom spoke with her directly and the others who communicated with her team—she has been reaching out to key Democratic figures for their support.
Stratton and her team have indicated that she has already gained the backing of Governor JB Pritzker, as shared by the three sources who requested anonymity to discuss private conversations and avoid any political backlash. It has been made clear that she anticipates substantial financial involvement from Pritzker, according to those familiar with her intentions.
“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,” a spokesperson for the lieutenant governor—who also requested anonymity to discuss private matters—said.
Pritzker, a prominent figure in the Democratic Party and a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential election, is already a successful Democratic donor and operator. His considerable personal wealth could greatly benefit any candidate he supports, and his endorsement could reshape the emerging primary competition that includes several members of Illinois's congressional delegation.
However, his team has refrained from commenting on any endorsements or financial contributions regarding a potential primary. “We’re not going to engage with hypotheticals for a seat that’s not even open,” stated a person close to Pritzker's political operation, who was granted anonymity to speak freely.
Pritzker selected Stratton, then a state representative, as his running mate in 2017, and he also attended a fundraising event for her newly established federal PAC last month.
A billionaire and heir to the Hyatt hotel dynasty, Pritzker could not only support that PAC but also contribute millions to other super PACs backing her campaign. Such financial backing might position Stratton as the front-runner in a primary that would likely secure her a Senate seat in the heavily Democratic state.
If a candidate backed by Pritzker succeeds, it could solidify his status as a significant Democratic powerbroker, with influence that may extend beyond Illinois as the 2028 election approaches.
Durbin has been a Senator since 1997, and while many Democrats speculate that the 80-year-old will retire, close associates indicate that he has not made a definitive decision yet.
In a brief interview on Wednesday, Durbin acknowledged that Stratton was among the Democrats preparing for the possibility of his retirement, stating, "She said if I run she's not going to."
Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi has been accumulating funds for a potential Senate campaign, amassing $17.1 million by the close of 2024. Other Democratic Representatives, including Lauren Underwood, who turned a GOP-held district blue in 2018, and Robin Kelly, the former chair of the Illinois Democratic Party, are also considering the seat.
Additionally, Illinois Democrats are speculating about the next moves of Rahm Emanuel, the former Chicago mayor, who recently returned from his tenure as ambassador to Japan and is currently serving as a commentator on CNN.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
Juliana Stratton, who took office in 2019, is strategically positioning herself for a Senate run should Durbin choose to retire. According to three individuals familiar with her plans—one of whom spoke with her directly and the others who communicated with her team—she has been reaching out to key Democratic figures for their support.
Stratton and her team have indicated that she has already gained the backing of Governor JB Pritzker, as shared by the three sources who requested anonymity to discuss private conversations and avoid any political backlash. It has been made clear that she anticipates substantial financial involvement from Pritzker, according to those familiar with her intentions.
“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,” a spokesperson for the lieutenant governor—who also requested anonymity to discuss private matters—said.
Pritzker, a prominent figure in the Democratic Party and a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential election, is already a successful Democratic donor and operator. His considerable personal wealth could greatly benefit any candidate he supports, and his endorsement could reshape the emerging primary competition that includes several members of Illinois's congressional delegation.
However, his team has refrained from commenting on any endorsements or financial contributions regarding a potential primary. “We’re not going to engage with hypotheticals for a seat that’s not even open,” stated a person close to Pritzker's political operation, who was granted anonymity to speak freely.
Pritzker selected Stratton, then a state representative, as his running mate in 2017, and he also attended a fundraising event for her newly established federal PAC last month.
A billionaire and heir to the Hyatt hotel dynasty, Pritzker could not only support that PAC but also contribute millions to other super PACs backing her campaign. Such financial backing might position Stratton as the front-runner in a primary that would likely secure her a Senate seat in the heavily Democratic state.
If a candidate backed by Pritzker succeeds, it could solidify his status as a significant Democratic powerbroker, with influence that may extend beyond Illinois as the 2028 election approaches.
Durbin has been a Senator since 1997, and while many Democrats speculate that the 80-year-old will retire, close associates indicate that he has not made a definitive decision yet.
In a brief interview on Wednesday, Durbin acknowledged that Stratton was among the Democrats preparing for the possibility of his retirement, stating, "She said if I run she's not going to."
Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi has been accumulating funds for a potential Senate campaign, amassing $17.1 million by the close of 2024. Other Democratic Representatives, including Lauren Underwood, who turned a GOP-held district blue in 2018, and Robin Kelly, the former chair of the Illinois Democratic Party, are also considering the seat.
Additionally, Illinois Democrats are speculating about the next moves of Rahm Emanuel, the former Chicago mayor, who recently returned from his tenure as ambassador to Japan and is currently serving as a commentator on CNN.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
