Juliana Stratton Wins Illinois Senate Primary Over Raja Krishnamoorthi
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton Defeats Raja Krishnamoorthi in Democratic Senate Primary
Longtime Senator Richard J. Durbin has retired, opening what was once a safe Democratic seat to a competitive primary in Illinois. Republicans have not won a statewide election in the state in a decade.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate over Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi. The race was defined by a clash between Krishnamoorthi fund-raising and Stratton institutional support from the governor and political machine.
Representative Robin Kelly rounded out the major contenders, offering an alternative to a race that has otherwise been defined by the clash between Krishnamoorthi fund-raising and Stratton institutional support.
Stratton Wins in Cook County
While Stratton is winning in Cook County, the two are running about even in the rest of the state. This was not nearly enough for Krishnamoorthi to catch up.
Some nervousness has set in at the watch party for Representative Krishnamoorthi as the race has unfolded. The margin in suburban counties likely determined the outcome.
Krishnamoorthi Had Financial Advantage
Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi is a moderate Democrat with a massive financial advantage going into the race. He had been raising money at a faster rate than his opponents.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is backed by Governor JB Pritzker and the state political machine. This institutional support proved decisive in the primary.
What Comes Next
The winner of this primary will be a heavy favorite in the general election in deep-blue Illinois. Republicans have not won a statewide election in the state in a decade.
Stratton will now face the general election against a Republican opponent. She will be the nominee representing the Democratic Party in the upcoming election.
Sources:
- The New York Times - https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/polls/illinois-us-senate-election-polls-2026.html
- The New York Times - https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/us/elections/results-illinois-primary.html