Juliana Stratton becomes first to enter race for Dick Durbin’s U.S. senate seat in Illinois
Pranjal Chandra | Apr 24, 2025, 18:46 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton has announced her candidacy for Illinois' open Senate seat following Senator Dick Durbin's retirement announcement. Stratton, who made history as the first Black woman elected lieutenant governor in Illinois, enters the race with a strong progressive record.
The political landscape in Illinois is beginning to shift in a big way. Just a day after Senator Dick Durbin announced he would not seek re-election, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton officially threw her hat into the ring becoming the first declared candidate to vie for his Senate seat.
Her announcement, made Thursday, kicks off what is expected to be a hotly contested Democratic primary for a seat that hasn’t been open in nearly three decades. Stratton, who has served as Illinois’ lieutenant governor since 2019 alongside Governor JB Pritzker, enters the race with a strong record of progressive leadership and historic firsts.
Stratton made history in 2018 when she became the first Black woman elected lieutenant governor in Illinois. Her political journey began when she successfully ran for a state legislative seat in 2016 with an early boost from none other than former President Barack Obama, who recorded a rare campaign ad in her support.
Since then, Stratton has become a key figure in Illinois politics, known for her close partnership with Governor Pritzker. Together, the duo has delivered on major initiatives, including:
Her work has helped solidify Illinois as a progressive stronghold, often in direct contrast to the federal policies enacted under former President Donald Trump’s administration. Stratton has also advocated for increased education funding, especially in light of federal cuts during Trump's term.
Political watchers have speculated for months that Stratton was preparing to make a move for higher office. Back in January, she launched Level Up PAC, a political action committee designed to support future candidacies a clear signal of her senatorial ambitions.
Her decision to launch her campaign just one day after Senator Durbin’s retirement announcement cements her as an early frontrunner in what is expected to become a crowded Democratic field.
Senator Dick Durbin, 80, has served Illinois in Congress for over 40 years, including nearly three decades in the Senate. First elected in 1996, Durbin has been a prominent voice on Capitol Hill, serving as Senate Majority Whip and playing key roles in shaping health care, immigration, and judicial policy.
In announcing his retirement on Wednesday, Durbin said, “I know it’s time to pass the torch,” reflecting on a career that spanned more than half of his life.
Stratton’s entry into the race sets the tone for what could be one of the most competitive Democratic primaries in Illinois in recent memory. While no other candidates have officially declared yet, several are expected to jump in soon, making this a pivotal moment in state and nationalpolitics.
As the first to announce, Stratton gains early momentum, and with her statewide experience, progressive credentials, and deep ties to both grassroots and establishment Democrats, she’s well-positioned to be a top contender for the Senate.
For now, Illinois and the nation will be watching closely as the race unfolds and new voices step up to carry the legacy of one of the Senate’s longest-serving members.
Her announcement, made Thursday, kicks off what is expected to be a hotly contested Democratic primary for a seat that hasn’t been open in nearly three decades. Stratton, who has served as Illinois’ lieutenant governor since 2019 alongside Governor JB Pritzker, enters the race with a strong record of progressive leadership and historic firsts.
A historic bid
Since then, Stratton has become a key figure in Illinois politics, known for her close partnership with Governor Pritzker. Together, the duo has delivered on major initiatives, including:
- Raising the minimum wage
- Abolishing the state grocery tax
- Protecting reproductive rights as access to abortion has been restricted in neighboring red states
Signs of a run
Her decision to launch her campaign just one day after Senator Durbin’s retirement announcement cements her as an early frontrunner in what is expected to become a crowded Democratic field.
The end of an era
In announcing his retirement on Wednesday, Durbin said, “I know it’s time to pass the torch,” reflecting on a career that spanned more than half of his life.
What’s next
As the first to announce, Stratton gains early momentum, and with her statewide experience, progressive credentials, and deep ties to both grassroots and establishment Democrats, she’s well-positioned to be a top contender for the Senate.
For now, Illinois and the nation will be watching closely as the race unfolds and new voices step up to carry the legacy of one of the Senate’s longest-serving members.