* Yesterday, Sen. Dick Durbin said at least a dozen names have expressed interest in his seat. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton was the first out of the gate this morning to declare her candidacy…
* Sun-Times…
Stratton currently oversees the administration’s Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative and chairs the board of the Restore, Reinvest and Renew Program, which reinvests a portion of cannabis tax revenue into communities experiencing high rates of shootings, unemployment, child poverty and incarceration.
Her campaign touted her work in the Ag Connects Us All Initiative, which helped to highlight the ways in which the agriculture industry could address inequities and food security. It’s also been a way for her to stay connected to the more rural areas of the state.
Last year, Stratton led a Black maternal health initiative that invested $15 million in closing the maternal mortality gap through expanding home visits, capital dollars for community-birth centers, a free diaper program and a child tax credit for low-income families.
Among the potential contenders, Stratton can boast that she’s a statewide official — meaning she’s traveled across the state and has had a visible presence at events with Pritzker for more than six years. She can also take credit for many progressive policies passed during Pritzker’s two terms, including expanded abortion care, an assault weapons ban and raising the minimum wage. That may also serve as easy fodder for a Republican opponent, who could challenge her on some of the administration’s most liberal policies.
…Adding… The Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association…
(DLGA) endorses Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton in her campaign to represent Illinois in the U.S. Senate. With the endorsement, the DLGA is proud to commit seven figures in support of her campaign.
DLGA Chair and Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Austin Davis released the following statement:
“The Democratic Lt. Governors Association is proud to commit to making an impactful investment to support Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton in her run as Illinois’ next U.S. Senator. Democratic lieutenant governors are the Democratic Party’s bench, and with these types of investments, we look forward to helping to elect the next generation of Governors and Senators across the country.”
…Adding… Governor Pritzker was asked about the announcement at an unrelated news conference this morning…
Reporter: Your colleague, Juliana Stratton, Lieutenant Governor, has announced her bid for US Senate to take over the Dick Durbin seat, what’s your reaction to that? And do you plan on endorsing her for Senator Durbin’s seat as his successor.
Pritzker: I apologize to my colleagues for the off topic question. […] In Illinois our senior Senator Dick Durbin announced his retirement yesterday. Our Lieutenant Governor in Illinois announced this morning that she’s going to be running for US Senate.
Well, I think you know, Jeremy, how I feel about her, and she is truly one of the most accomplished people that’s ever held the job of Lieutenant Governor. She’s done so much as a partner in governance of the state. As you know, I think very highly of her. She’s somebody who not only cares deeply, is passionate and compassionate, but again, highly accomplished.
That’s all I can say for now. And you know, I just, I feel strongly about her, and think very highly of her, and I think the voters will too.
…Adding… Earlier this month, Congressman Krishnamoorthi announced he had $19 million cash on hand…
Thoughts?
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 6:57 am:
A
Deputy Wendell- “Well, this is sure a mess.”
Sheriff Ed Tom Bell-”If it ain’t it’ll do ’till the mess gets here.”
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 7:34 am:
I remember telling everyone under the dome in February 2003 that Barack Obama was going to be our next US Senator, and every political insider was telling me I was crazy, with half believing it would be Blair Hull and the other half believing it would be Dan Hynes.
Political columnists were split about the same.
We are going to be hearing a lot of “conventional wisdom” over the next nine months about the US Senate primary. My advice is to ignore it.
- Tim E. - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 7:43 am:
Not sure how much it will resonate in a Dem primary, but the Prisoner Review Board is in Stratton’s portfolio. It’s a target rich environment for oppo research, particularly the soft touch they’ve applied to domestic violence offenders.
- Almost the Weekend - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 8:25 am:
She’s not going to clear the field and Pritzker will not be getting involved. He has his own aspirations in 2026 and 2028. It’s a nuclear minefield and he’s going to need a united Illinois for the Dem Presidential Primary in 2028. Where every single delegate will matter.
- Sir Reel - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 8:29 am:
Given what the Trump administration has done/is doing to the economy, I hope candidates who understand economics and can explain economic issues to voters succeed. Stratton doesn’t come across as such. Just my opinion.
- Steve - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 8:36 am:
-We are going to be hearing a lot of “conventional wisdom” over the next nine months -
Yep. The voters in the Democratic primary will decide. I doubt endorsements are going to mean much other than influential union endorsements at the primary level.
- Remember the Alamo II - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 8:38 am:
=== Stratton doesn’t come across as such. Just my opinion. ===
And what is that opinion based on? From my experience, she is the perfect candidate to explain economic issues to Illinois voters. BTW, I think her announcement ad is top notch.
- 312 Lawyer - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 8:38 am:
What are her accomplishments? Why should she get the brass ring?
She’s a glorified figure head with no name ID.
Next
- Excitable Boy - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 8:43 am:
- My advice is to ignore it. -
I agree. I can’t think of a clear front runner or anyone I’m particularly excited about.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 9:01 am:
==She’s not going to clear the field and Pritzker will not be getting involved.==
The first half is right, at least.
==Why should she get the brass ring?==
We have these things called campaigns to answer that question.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 9:02 am:
It’s a good video, and she gets a bonus point for getting her announcement out first. She hits a theme that Dem primary voters are eager to hear right now, and one that could wrongfoot a lot of her most likely primary opponents.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 9:03 am:
===(DLGA) endorses Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton ===
I was unaware this organization endorses in US Senate Races. But that’s nice, I guess. I hope she is the only current or former Lt Governor for Illinois that will be announcing.
===Sen. Dick Durbin said at least a dozen names have expressed interest in his seat.===
Being first out of the gate is important for the LT. Governor. It will cause some of those names to reconsider, especially if they are already holding a respectable public office.
===She’s a glorified figure head with no name ID===
I don’t think anyone who is serious about politicking would believe that. No one who is serious about running against her would believe that either.
No one who had spent 5 minutes in a room with the Lt. Governor would believe that either.
- Amalia - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 9:06 am:
US Senator is an office of a higher order and not just cause of Statewide Federal. I’m not yet seeing who rises to that.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 9:11 am:
I want to see the field, but she is on my shortlist..
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 9:13 am:
===She’s not going to clear the field and Pritzker will not be getting involved.==
The first half is right, at least.=
I’m curious to see how his support will manifest given Fed rules are much more strict and he won’t be able to give her large sums directly. He can fund a Super PAC of course and maybe will. And he could help her fundraise but is that his strength? He hasn’t done it for himself.
Meanwhile, Raja is sitting on $19 million in hard dollars. It’s gonna be fascinating.
- Leatherneck - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 9:25 am:
Is it just me or does anyone else have an uneasy feeling that Pat Quinn will somehow decide to make one more “farewell tour” and run for Senate or another office himself? Despite this going against the latest theme of retiring pre-and-early Baby Boom-born politicians retiring in Illinois (Durbin and Schakowsky).
- Arsenal - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 9:30 am:
==And he could help her fundraise but is that his strength? He hasn’t done it for himself.==
He can tell all the people who have spent almost a decade looking for a way to curry favor with him that this is the way to do it and she’ll get some nice seed money.
- H-W - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 9:52 am:
It is a good self-introduction to the people of Illinois who may not know her. I liked the soft intro., with papers flying around and creating chaos. However, at the end when she returns to the mess, is just seemed distracting to see the same mess. Subconsciously, I wanted to see the floor clean. But I get it. I would give the clip a grade of B+/A-: there is work to do.
- Peoples Republic of Oak Park - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 10:05 am:
I really do not understand the reluctance for him to endorse her. Its not like this was done without consultation with him. Just do it.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 10:23 am:
I’ve encountered her a couple of times and in my opinion she’s a very impressive public individual. I’m sure she will do well in a primary but who knows if she’ll be the nominee??
- Suburban Mom - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 10:28 am:
I think Stratton has been a workhorse, not a showhorse, and that would translate to doing a good job as Senator, but I’m “wait on see” on whether she can build the name recognition and momentum outside of CapFax Illinois politics nerds.
I was thinking this morning about all the folks whose names had been floated and I was like, “I kind-of want to vote for Andy Manar. I miss that dude.”
I’m kind-of afraid it’ll be Alexi Giannoulias, which, ugh, FINE.
This is the first Senate cycle where the Dems will be running some people that I know personally or professionally, and that’s an odd feeling. I’m not 100% sure how to separate my feelings on my friend X when our toddlers used to have playdates together while we had a glass of wine on the patio, from my assessment of candidate X and how they read to the public.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 10:42 am:
Meh.
Is Lisa Madigan out of politics for good?
- Quibbler - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 11:39 am:
== I kind-of want to vote for Andy Manar ==
He ended his hopes for any statewide office the day he voted against the Reproductive Health Act.
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 11:47 am:
I will give her a hearing because I like the job JB has done as governor but I can’t name a thing about her background or record of accomplishment which seems ominous because I feel like I’m a more engaged Dem primary voter than most.
- Neef Jr. - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 12:14 pm:
The FEC site is tough to use and who knows what crazy things the current administration is doing to the data but I don’t find “Juliana for Illinois” anywhere listed.
- John Lopez - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 12:59 pm:
Right now, this Democratic U.S. Senate primary is Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi’s to lose & there are over 19 million reasons he’s the frontrunner.
Is Krishnamoorthi going to be the Katie Porter of 2026? In 2024 then Congresswoman Porter along with then Congressman Adam Schiff & then Congresswoman Barbara Lee competed for the open U.S. Senate seat in California with Schiff and retired baseball player Steve Garvey winning the top-2 blanket primary. Porter had fundraising numbers like Krishnamoorthi, but Schiff boosted Garvey to come in 2nd to avoid a head-to-head Democrat vs Democrat general election with Porter.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 1:11 pm:
=== Pritzker will not be getting involved. ===
That is wishful thinking. Pritzker just told you what he thinks of her personally, given who JB is, there is no way that he is not getting involved.
- Watchdog - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 1:12 pm:
What about Pat Quinn? He has the highest statewide name recognition of all potential candidates. In a crowded field, he could easily win the plurality.
- DuPage Saint - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 1:22 pm:
With 19 million in the bank I find it hard to believe Raja has not already made a decision
- K3 - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 1:55 pm:
She is low on accomplishments and bad at fundraising. Her hope is JB will carry her on the latter. Nice intro ad though.
- John Lopez - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 2:14 pm:
On Republican side of U.S. Senate race, will MAGA Republicans and President Trump prevail on former Governor Rod Blagojevich to run and keep the Republican primary safe for Trump?
With the Trump pardon, Blagojevich can seek federal election again. Just a thought, given current Republican U.S. Senate candidates who’ve filed with FEC to raise money are John Goodman (not the actor) and Douglas Bennet.
- Merica - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 2:28 pm:
fantastic ad. To me it’s not an election looking for the “best candidate” we’re looking for the best Senator. The best Senator is someone who lives in DC, networks 24/7, and creates a large sphere of influence, which in turn leads to political power and federal funds flowing to Illinois.
- Justin - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 2:58 pm:
Stratton’s opening ad nails it on what we’re facing in our nation.
- Osbourne Smith III - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 3:04 pm:
==He ended his hopes for any statewide office the day he voted against the Reproductive Health Act. ==
So, you’re going to hold the fact that a politician did exactly what they told their constituents they would do about a piece of legislation? Manar told his constituents that he had been led to believe the bill would not be called, and as a result, he would have time to meet with them to get their feedback on the proposed bill before deciding how to vote on behalf of his district. You’re going to hold that against him?
That’s pretty sad.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 3:07 pm:
===He ended his hopes for any statewide office the day he voted against the Reproductive Health Act===
That goes away if he can convince the pro-choice groups to forgive him. It’s happened before (Paul Simon, Dick Durbin, etc.)
- Quibbler - Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 3:11 pm:
== You’re going to hold that against him? ==
Manar could certainly try to argue that he needed more time to decide whether women deserved to have their rights to bodily autonomy enshrined in state law. But I doubt that’s an explanation that the majority of an IL Dem electorate would find compelling.