Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Question of the day (Updated)

Posted in:

Illinois
YouTube
Updated Posts

With Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., having not announced yet whether he will run again — and Gov. JB Pritzker still not confirming whether he will seek another term — Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on Monday is launching her Level Up federal political action committee to build up her political operation and bolster a potential Senate run. […]

Stratton, 59, who was raised in Hyde Park, on Monday will be releasing a biographical video shot in her Bronzeville home.

Durbin, 80, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate and the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, will announce his plans in his own way on his own timetable. He was first elected in 1997 and is in his fifth term. […]

Stratton told me the Level Up PAC “is going to help me to do something that I think is especially needed right now, and that is to make sure that we demonstrate the leadership of our administration, how Illinois has become a beacon of progress, quite frankly, for working people. I want to elevate and build on that success through the Level Up PAC, and I want to support candidates, campaigns and causes that are delivering results for working people.”

The Level Up board consists of three women who Stratton trusts and is close to: Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Precious Brad-Davis; and Sol Flores, a former deputy governor.

* The Question: Do you think that LG Stratton should run for US Senate if Durbin retires? Note that I’m not asking if she will run. Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

online polls

…Adding… The launch video…

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 1:13 pm

Comments

I answered yes purely because I think having a competitive primary is healthy for a party. Having an ordained candidate ahead of time by clearing the field has not served D’s very well - recent memory being very informative on this point.

Comment by Incandenza Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 1:17 pm
I voted Yes. I’m not sure I 100% agree with all her policy positions, but to me she is easily one of the best politicians in the state. The LG job has no responsibilities and she has made it seem like a meaningful position. I’m impressed. I would want to hear more of her thoughts especially re: international politics but I think she should definitely be one of the candidates in the mix for the job.

Comment by Mike Gascoigne Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 1:24 pm
Yes just on the grounds I don think t JB is going anywhere meaning the constitutionals all are treading water.

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 1:26 pm
I voted yes, she is bright, hardworking, has a good life story to tell, and this may be the only time a vacancy arises during her career. It may be a crowded primary but that’s just fine as well. Between the Senate and Mayor’s race it will be interesting to see where everyone lands.

Comment by Annon3 Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 1:28 pm
Voted yes - as the LT governor in IL is a quasi-ceremonial job highlighted by these official duties ” Chairman of the Governor’s Rural Affairs Council, Chairman of Rural Bond Bank of Illinois, head of the Illinois Main Street Program, and Chairman of the Illinois River Coordinating Council” She would be a very vulnerable Dem on the ballot.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 1:30 pm
Yes. I think it’s “up or out” for her if Pritzker runs for a third term. Spending three terms in a “do nothing” job would probably be detrimental to her career.

In a perfect world, she could also consider running for Congress if the 83 year old Danny Davis considered retiring…but even if he doesn’t, she could raise her profile by running a statewide campaign.

Have to take risks in this business…

Comment by NIU Grad Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 1:30 pm
I agree with Incandenza. Competition is good. But as for Stratton specifically, I don’t actually know enough about her.

Comment by Homebody Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 1:36 pm
Should she run? Why not, she’s an Illinois resident and has been elected to office here. I doubt I would vote for her on the basis of her positions on some important topics. One major point against her is that she’s been involved with government roles for too much of her career. It seems we need more elected officials whose primary job was private industry.

Comment by Center Drift Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 1:40 pm
I said no. I’d rather a candidate run who is passionate about an issue or change. She’s been one of the most powerful pols in the state and I’m not sure how many people could name a signature issue of hers.

Comment by Chicagoan Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 1:41 pm
Voted yes because I think the LG is a great public speaker and I’d welcome her voice in what will likely be a crowded primary. And she clearly has ambitions beyond the warm bucket of spit.

An interesting note though… if the LG runs for Durbin’s seat and the Governor runs for a third term, the Governor will need to replace her on the ticket.

Comment by I-55 Fanatic Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 1:44 pm
Count me as a ‘yes’. She works hard and is an excellent public speaker. No reason for her not to go for it.

Comment by Proud Sucker Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 1:49 pm
Voted no. I think Illinois is going to have to be the State that saves the Democratic party from itself, and I think in order to do so we will need to send a dynamic Senator to DC with a bright future.

Lt. Gov Stratton, while by all accounts a decent and competent public official, is not what we need.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 1:50 pm
I voted no. I think she would face some long odds, and a different statewide office when it’s time for musical chairs at the state level would be a better call.

Comment by OneMan Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 1:51 pm
I voted no, but I don’t feel too strongly about it. The Senate is a nice, soft job. Congress doesn’t work anymore and being in the minority, at least for now, means you commute back and forth from DC for most of the year. If she wants that, then she should go for it.

I think the competition will be stiff for an open US Senate seat. I think she might have a path if she can raise boatloads of money. And like Nimitz aircraft carrier kind of boatloads. Then, if she wins, she gets to spend every waking hour raising more for the foreseeable future.

Not that this was asked, but I think she should consider a more important job closer to home. She could be a credible candidate for mayor. And honestly, she could do a lot more good in that office than in the US Senate. If that matters.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 1:51 pm
I voted yes. In most cases, you do not get hired for a job that you do not apply to. Stranger things have happened, but I do not see how losing the primary is going to end her career or anything. It seems like the reward outweighs the risk.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 1:51 pm
Lt Gov Stratton has been a great advocate for our state and seems like a good and decent person. I am wondering how many times she had to practice the line “Billion Dollar Bill Backlog” - say that five times fast!

Comment by JSI Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 1:58 pm
I voted no, she should run for mayor.

Comment by musket ready Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 2:00 pm
She can run for Senate, but Raja runs circles around her.

Comment by Bob Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 2:03 pm
===I think she might have a path if she can raise boatloads of money===

I’ve assumed that if his own LG is running for Senate, then the governor would fund some super PACs to help out. And he can dwarf Raja’s money.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 2:04 pm
“Raja runs circles around her”

When it comes to money, yes, but let’s see how he handles the spotlight. He’s still mostly unknown outside of the northwest suburbs.

Comment by NIU Grad Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 2:06 pm
I voted No
Not that it is fair, but her connection to Madigan would be a huge problem.

Comment by Back to the Future Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 2:11 pm
I voted yes. With all due respect to Sen. Durbin, when you hit 80, it’s probably time to pass the baton. And don’t forget, Lt. Gov. Dave O’Neal resigned (out of boredom) and Lt. Gov. Bob Kustra tried to quit.

Comment by levivotedforjudy Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 2:13 pm
I voted no. Not because I don’t want to see the Lt. Gov progress and advance her political career, but because I think she would be an excellent candidate to continue Gov. Pritzker’s strong leadership and stewardship of the state.

However, I do agree with others that point out three terms in the Lt. Gov’s office could also be detrimental to her long-term career. My guess is she will ultimately run for something else soon.

Comment by CoreyBradfordFan Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 2:17 pm
No - I would prefer to see someone from south of I-80 run to replace Durbin.

Comment by The Dude Abides Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 2:27 pm
I voted yes. She’s charismatic and hasn’t made any serious mistakes in her do nothing job. The person who said Raja would run circles around her must only mean on money because Julianna is a far more talented politician. I’m envisioning a cage match between Alexi, Julianna, Raja, Lauren Underwood and a player to be named later. Let the best happy warrior win. We need new blood in DC.

BTW, I see this as a better fit for Alexi in particular because he’s a show horse, not a work horse. That’s what the US Senate is all about for most of its members.

Comment by New Day Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 2:31 pm
==more elected officials whose primary job was private industry.==

Yeah, maybe an accomplished business exec like that Bruce Rauner guy.

Comment by Alton Sinkhole Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 2:31 pm
==Raja runs circles around her.==

Much will come out about Raja including how he treats his staff.

Comment by Alton Sinkhole Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 2:32 pm
Sorry, I don’t feel I know enough about her to vote. I do hope IL Dems put up a good younger center-left candidate to be vibrant voice for IL and the nation.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 2:41 pm
Voted Yes but what about Tiny Dancer? Think He wants to be one of 100? Probably not, but he may want to back JS?

Comment by 10th ward Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 2:42 pm
This may not go over well here, but LG staff is rather toxic when collaborating across agencies. There’s definitely some elitism, which is grating. A lot of blame and finger pointing - especially if you happen to not be in the room, unqualified promotions to sr positions, rude behavior from sr staff and execs. I happily support her run for Senator as long as she takes staff with her.

Comment by Politix Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 2:49 pm
The lieutenant governor position in Illinois is so low-profile and low-power that I think you’d have a very small number of people that’d even recognize her name, even potentially among regular Dem primary voters.

She’s absolutely free to run and wow me, but I don’t have really any positive or negative opinions on her nor do I really have much expectations on her chances.

I’d honestly think that [insert U.S. rep here] or a large town mayor would have a much easier pathway to the nomination than the IL Lt Gov.

Comment by TJ Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 2:54 pm
No. Stick around and run for Gov once JB makes his move.

Comment by ;) Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 3:04 pm
I voted no. No one knows her.

Comment by Bugsy Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 3:20 pm
“Do you think that LG Stratton should run for US Senate if Durbin retires?”

tbh, I find it odd that I don’t have a strong opinion either way about this question.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 3:54 pm
I vote yes because she should but i personally don’t want either one of them in government.

Comment by Clr dec Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 4:02 pm
I’m all for having multiple qualified candidates running for office, so she should run along with others.

Having said that, I really hope Durbin doesn’t try to hang on. His time is up.

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 4:30 pm
Yes. She’s an excellent public speaker, has good positions on issues folks in Illinois care about, and is a good leader. I don’t know if she would win the primary; I expect a tough field. If she wins the primary, she would be able to win the general easily.

To those who voted “no” because they don’t know much about her; you will. My biggest concern is that Durbin decides to run again. I think he has been a great Senator, but it’s time to retire.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 4:36 pm
Voted no. But, on the other hand, she is well-liked so why not her?!

Comment by One Term Mayor Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 7:04 pm
I voted no…I think she should run for SOS if Alexi runs for another office like Mayor of Chicago. As SOS she has a platform to bolster name recognition, create her own identity, and eventually run for Governor someday.

Comment by Scoot Monday, Jan 27, 25 @ 8:31 pm