Trending Now - Democrats Strengthen Position Amid Controversial Campaign Moves

WHO:

JB Pritzker, Illinois Governor, described as a billionaire heir to a hotel chain fortune.

Juliana Stratton, Illinois Lt. Governor, who won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Representative, who lost the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

Melissa Bean, former U.S. Representative, who won the Democratic primary for the 8th District seat.

Jesse Jackson Jr., former U.S. Representative, who lost in the 2nd Congressional District primary.

Daniel Biss, Evanston Mayor, who won the Democratic primary for Illinois' 9th Congressional District.

Kat Abughazaleh, candidate for U.S. House, who lost in the 9th District primary.

Don Tracy, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate.

JB Pritzker, Illinois Governor, described as a billionaire heir to a hotel chain fortune.

Donna Miller, Cook County Commissioner, who won the Democratic primary for Illinois' 2nd Congressional District.

Jesse Jackson Jr., former U.S. Representative, who attempted a political comeback in the 2nd Congressional District primary.

Daniel Biss, Evanston Mayor, who won the Democratic primary for Illinois' 9th Congressional District.

Kat Abughazaleh, candidate for U.S. House, who lost in the 9th District primary.

JB Pritzker, Illinois Governor, described as a billionaire heir to a hotel chain fortune.

Donna Miller, Cook County Commissioner, who won the Democratic primary for Illinois' 2nd Congressional District.

Melissa Bean, former U.S. Representative, who won the Democratic primary for the 8th District seat vacated by Raja Krishnamoorthi.

Juliana Stratton, Illinois Lt. Governor

JB Pritzker, Illinois Governor

Dick Durbin, retiring U.S. Senator

Don Tracy, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate

Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Representative

Robin Kelly, U.S. Representative

Melissa Bean, former U.S. Representative

Jesse Jackson Jr., former U.S. Representative

Donna Miller, Cook County Commissioner

Kat Abughazaleh, candidate for U.S. House

Daniel Biss, Evanston Mayor

AIPAC, American Israel Public Affairs Committee

WHAT:

Stratton won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate on March 17th, 2026, edging out Krishnamoorthi and Kelly.

Stratton received significant financial backing from JB Pritzker, who contributed $5 million to a pro-Stratton super PAC.

Krishnamoorthi raised over $30 million and spent more than $6 million on his campaign.

Donna Miller received approximately 40% of the vote in the 2nd Congressional District primary, defeating Jesse Jackson Jr., who received about 29%.

The Democratic primary for the 9th Congressional District was held on March 17th, 2026, with Daniel Biss winning.

The primary featured a high voter turnout with over 1.1 million votes counted.

Stratton stated, “we will fight for Medicare for all, we will fight to abolish ICE, we’ll fight for a real living wage,” during her victory speech.

Stratton's campaign included a television ad featuring people saying “f* Trump.”

Donna Miller received approximately 40% of the vote in the 2nd Congressional District primary, defeating Jesse Jackson Jr., who received about 29%.

Daniel Biss won the Democratic primary for the 9th Congressional District, with Kat Abughazaleh finishing second by four percentage points.

Miller raised $1.9 million for her campaign, significantly more than her opponents.

Jesse Jackson Jr. conceded defeat in his comeback attempt, stating, “I want to thank Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller... for the robust contest that she has offered.”

Stratton's campaign included a television ad featuring people saying “f* Trump.”

Stratton's victory was characterized by a significant margin in Chicago and strong results in the suburbs.

Donna Miller raised $1.9 million for her campaign, significantly more than her opponents.

Krishnamoorthi raised over $30 million and spent more than $6 million on his campaign.

Stratton stated, “courage will bring this fight straight to Donald Trump’s door” during her victory speech.

Juliana Stratton won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate on March 17th, 2026.

Stratton received significant financial backing from JB Pritzker, who contributed $5 million to a pro-Stratton super PAC.

The primary featured a high voter turnout with over 1.1 million votes counted.

Stratton's campaign included promises to fight for Medicare for all, abolish ICE, and support a living wage.

Krishnamoorthi raised over $30 million and spent more than $6 million on his campaign.

Stratton's victory positions her to become the sixth Black woman in U.S. Senate history.

WHERE:

Voting took place at the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center in Chicago.

The 2nd Congressional District includes South Side neighborhoods, several south suburbs, and parts of central Illinois, including Kankakee and Danville.

The 9th Congressional District includes parts of Chicago and its northern suburbs.

Voting took place at the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center in Chicago.

Illinois, specifically Chicago and surrounding suburbs.

Voting took place at various locations including the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center in Chicago.

WHEN:

The Democratic primary for the 2nd Congressional District was held on March 17th, 2026.

The Democratic primary for the 9th Congressional District was held on March 17th, 2026.

The Democratic primary for the 2nd Congressional District was held on March 17th, 2026.

The Democratic primary for the 9th Congressional District was held on March 17th, 2026.

The Democratic primary was held on March 17th, 2026.

Dick Durbin announced his retirement in 2025.

WHY:

The primary was influenced by significant outside spending from super PACs, including those aligned with AIPAC and cryptocurrency interests.

Miller's campaign was centered on healthcare issues, including affordability and reproductive rights.

The primary was influenced by significant outside spending from super PACs, including those aligned with AIPAC and cryptocurrency interests.

The primary was triggered by the retirement of Dick Durbin, creating an open Senate seat.

Pritzker's support for Stratton was seen as a test of his political influence as he considers a presidential run in 2028.

HOW:

Miller's campaign received at least $875,000 from donors linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee or its affiliated super PAC since 2023.

Pritzker campaigned with Stratton around the state and provided financial backing through a super PAC.

Stratton campaigned with the support of Pritzker, who appeared in ads and provided financial backing.

The primary was characterized by significant outside spending from super PACs, including those aligned with AIPAC and cryptocurrency interests.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 15:19 UTC)

In a significant Democratic primary held on March 17, Juliana Stratton emerged victorious in the race for U.S. Senate, edging out Raja Krishnamoorthi and Kelly, with substantial financial backing from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who contributed $5 million to support her campaign. Meanwhile, in the 2nd Congressional District, Donna Miller defeated Jesse Jackson Jr. with approximately 40 percent of the vote, while Daniel Biss won the Democratic primary for Illinois' 9th Congressional District, contributing to a high voter turnout of over 1.1 million. Stratton, during her victory speech, emphasized her commitment to progressive issues, stating, “we will fight for Medicare for all, we will fight to abolish ICE, we’ll fight for a real living wage.”

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 11:15 UTC)

In a significant outcome from the Democratic primaries held last Monday, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller won the 2nd Congressional District with approximately 40% of the vote, defeating Jesse Jackson Jr., who garnered about 29%. Meanwhile, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss also claimed victory in the 9th Congressional District primary, finishing ahead of Kat Abughazaleh by four percentage points. Miller's campaign, which focused on healthcare issues like affordability and reproductive rights, was bolstered by substantial fundraising, including at least $875,000 from donors associated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 07:18 UTC)

In a decisive Democratic primary held last Monday, Donna Miller emerged victorious for Illinois' 2nd Congressional District, raising an impressive $1.9 million for her campaign, while Melissa Bean won the primary for the 8th District seat previously held by Raja Krishnamoorthi. Governor JB Pritzker supported candidate Stratton, who celebrated her win with a bold statement about taking the fight to Trump, and her campaign was marked by a notable television ad featuring strong anti-Trump sentiments. The voting took place at the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center in Chicago, with significant outside spending influencing the results, particularly from super PACs linked to AIPAC and cryptocurrency interests.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 05:28 UTC)

In a significant development for Illinois politics, Juliana Stratton won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate on March 17, 2026, following the retirement announcement of Dick Durbin. Stratton received substantial financial support from Governor JB Pritzker, who contributed $5 million to a pro-Stratton super PAC, helping her campaign promise a fight for Medicare for all and a living wage. The primary saw a remarkable turnout, with over 1.1 million votes cast across various locations, including the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center in Chicago. Stratton's victory positions her to become the sixth Black woman in U.S. Senate history, while her opponent, Raja Krishnamoorthi, raised over $30 million for his campaign. The primary was marked by significant outside spending from super PACs, including those associated with AIPAC and cryptocurrency interests.