Question of the day
Wednesday, Jul 16, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
Among those at the event to endorse [Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton for US Senate] were Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford of Maywood; Assistant House Majority Leader Bob Morgan of Deerfield; Assistant House Majority Leader Camille Lilly of Chicago; state Rep. Norma Hernandez of Melrose Park; and state Reps. Mary Beth Canty and Nicolle Grasse, both of Arlington Heights. Previously announced support came from the state’s other sitting U.S. senator, Democrat Tammy Duckworth.
While a larger field is expected, Stratton’s major announced Democratic opponents so far are U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson and U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, whose campaign on Monday announced a slew of endorsements from local officials for his candidacy.
* The Question: Do you think anyone else will jump in? Bonus question: Who would you like to see join the fray? Explain either way.
- Ari Stottel - Wednesday, Jul 16, 25 @ 10:45 am:
Isn’t it obvious? With Mendoza running for mayor, Alexi should run for Senator. He towers above the three already announced. In 2010 Raja merely reported to Robin Kelly, who, in turn, reported to Treasurer Giannoulias.
Stratton wasn’t even politically engaged at the time.
Illinois can rectify the mistake it made in 2010 by sending Kirk to DC.
- Bob - Wednesday, Jul 16, 25 @ 10:54 am:
==Illinois can rectify the mistake it made in 2010 by sending Kirk to DC.==
Is this a Jaws Giorango burner?
- Chicagoan - Wednesday, Jul 16, 25 @ 10:55 am:
Jay Hoffman
Moderate D with strong ties to labor. Just like when Durbin left Congress to run for the Senate and before he went hard left.
- NotRich - Wednesday, Jul 16, 25 @ 10:57 am:
Speaker Welch
- Average Joe - Wednesday, Jul 16, 25 @ 11:19 am:
In dark blue Illinois who is the progressive in the race?
If Delia Ramirez gets in, she is the front runner day one.
- TJ - Wednesday, Jul 16, 25 @ 11:39 am:
I hope Rahm runs. Not because I think he has a chance in heck at winning, but because I want to vote against him and have him electorally knocked down a peg in a major way.
== Illinois can rectify the mistake it made in 2010 by sending Kirk to DC. ==
Sorry, but a Dem losing a statewide race in Illinois for any reason this century should be a permanent disqualifier for them ever seeking that office again. Alexi’s had a good political career rebound, but he’s in a far lower-stakes, lower-profile, but still important position versus what we need in the Senate.
Raja’s got the war chest and Stratton’s got the establishment backing. Like it or not, it’s a two-horse race regardless of anyone else currently or potentially running barring an enormous scandal in either camp or a seismic shift.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Wednesday, Jul 16, 25 @ 11:48 am:
Except for Giannoulias I don’t see anyone else entering the race. Krishnamoorthi and Stratton have hefty operations underway and it would be difficult for anyone to start from scratch right now.
- Frida’s boss - Wednesday, Jul 16, 25 @ 12:04 pm:
Agreed it would be hard to jump in now as a Dem. Campaign apparatus are already built, petitions start in two weeks, Fed money is different than state money. So unless it’s someone with a PAC already they’re starting from zero
- thisjustinagain - Wednesday, Jul 16, 25 @ 12:26 pm:
Where’s Quinn, Vallas, and Fioretti?? (snark)
Rahm? Why would he bother coming back now to a broke City? He’s already “been there, done that, got the t-shirt”.
- Give us Barrabbas - Wednesday, Jul 16, 25 @ 1:30 pm:
Roland Burris is staring at his phone wondering if it’s working.
- cover - Wednesday, Jul 16, 25 @ 2:53 pm:
= Where’s Quinn, Vallas, and Fioretti?? (snark) =
Quinn already tried running for this Senate seat, losing to Durbin in the 1996 primary.
He should instead run for Comptroller. If nothing else, he would earn the distinction of having run for every single statewide office.
- LJ - Wednesday, Jul 16, 25 @ 2:58 pm:
I don’t think anyone else with a chance will hop in. This one is already off the races. Everyone else will wait for Chicago Mayor (Alexi, Mendoza) or Gov in 2028 (Kwame, Frerichs?).That’s the smart play. If you enter now, you are late to the party, if you wait for something else, you don’t have the advantage of the experience and name recognition that the folks in this primary will get, but you are at least not seen as a loser. :/
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Wednesday, Jul 16, 25 @ 3:03 pm:
Bob: THANK YOU for that reminder - worst campaign tracker outfit ever.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 16, 25 @ 3:08 pm:
===I don’t think anyone else with a chance will hop in===
I think this race is practically begging for a progressive firebrand.
- DMC - Wednesday, Jul 16, 25 @ 3:40 pm:
I will not vote for Stratton. I am tired of politicians thinking they are king makers and elections are a petty inconvenience. Similar to Burnett getting his son in as alderman. Aren’t we done with this? Aside from being soft on crime it’s why I wanted Burke over Harris. Stop the elections in back rooms. Isn’t that what Periwinkle used to run against? Now she is one of them.
- Progressive Firebrand Wanted - Wednesday, Jul 16, 25 @ 5:17 pm:
I agree the race needs a progressive firebrand. The entire far left side of the party isn’t excited about the 3 candidates running. What does that do for turn out in the fall… will the progressives show up or ghost like we saw for Harris?