Trending Now - Juliana Stratton Secures Democratic Senate Primary Victory in Illinois
WHO:
Don Tracy, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate from Illinois
Rochelle Brockenborough, voter who supported Stratton
Rep. Yvette Clarke, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
Juliana Stratton, Illinois Lt. Governor
JB Pritzker, Illinois Governor
Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader
Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator
Rep. Yvette Clarke, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
Graham Platner, Democratic Senate candidate from Maine
Mallory McMorrow, Michigan state senator
Juliana Stratton, Illinois Lt. Governor
JB Pritzker, Illinois Governor
Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader
Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator
Rep. Yvette Clarke, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
Graham Platner, Democratic Senate candidate from Maine
Mallory McMorrow, Michigan state senator
Juliana Stratton, Illinois Lt. Governor
Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader
John Thune, Senate Minority Whip
JB Pritzker, Illinois Governor
Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Representative
Robin Kelly, U.S. Representative
Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator
Graham Platner, Democratic Senate candidate from Maine
Mallory McMorrow, Michigan state senator
WHAT:
Stratton pledged to push for Medicare for all and higher wages during her victory speech.
Stratton stated, "We are ready to take our democracy back into our own hands," during her victory speech.
Stratton's main opponent, Raja Krishnamoorthi, started 2026 with over $15 million on hand compared to Stratton's $1 million.
Pritzker funded the Illinois Future PAC with at least $5 million for Stratton's campaign.
Stratton's campaign was marked by furious fundraising and sharp elbows, testing the influence of JB Pritzker.
Stratton stated, "Tonight we showed what's possible when you listen to the people and give the people what they want," regarding her primary win on March 17th, 2026.
Stratton has pledged to push to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Pro-Israel, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence committees contributed over $52.7 million in outside spending for the Senate primary and several House Democratic primaries in the Chicagoland area.
The pro-crypto Fairshake PAC spent about $10 million against Stratton.
AIPAC spent over $21 million across four Chicagoland races.
Stratton stated, "We did it," regarding her primary win on March 17th, 2026.
Stratton's campaign received at least $5 million from JB Pritzker through the Illinois Future PAC.
Pro-crypto Fairshake PAC spent about $10 million against Stratton.
Over $52.7 million was contributed in outside spending for the Senate primary and several House Democratic primaries in the Chicagoland area.
Turnout for the Senate primary was over 1.1 million votes, the highest since 2004.
Juliana Stratton won the Democratic Senate nomination in Illinois by winning the primary on March 17th, 2026.
Stratton topped her leading rivals, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, in a contentious and expensive primary.
If elected in November, Stratton would become only the fifth Black woman in U.S. history to win a Senate seat.
Stratton stated she would not support Chuck Schumer as the leader of the Democratic caucus.
WHERE:
Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center, Chicago, Illinois (voting location for Rochelle Brockenborough)
Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen, Chicago, Illinois (location where Pritzker was spotted with Stratton on Election Day)
Chicago, Illinois (location of Stratton's primary election night watch party)
Illinois' 2nd, 8th, and 13th Districts (House primaries)
Illinois, United States
Chicago, Illinois (location of Stratton's primary election night watch party)
WHEN:
Primary election held on March 17th, 2026.
Stratton's victory speech occurred on March 17th, 2026.
Primary election held on March 17th, 2026.
Statements made during a debate and an NBC News interview prior to the primary.
Primary election held on March 17th, 2026.
Stratton's campaign ad featuring voters criticizing Trump went viral during the primary campaign.
Primary election held on March 17th, 2026.
Statements made during a debate and an NBC News interview prior to the primary.
WHY:
Voter Rochelle Brockenborough expressed her desire for no AIPAC money in the election, stating, "U.S. tax dollars shouldn't be used to support Israel."
Rep. Yvette Clarke expressed frustrations with Pritzker's involvement in the race, stating, "[Pritzker's] behavior in this race won't soon be forgotten by any of us."
Stratton indicated that voters are "fed up" with business as usual and the status quo in Washington.
Stratton emphasized that voters are "fed up" with the status quo in Washington and desire a fighter, not a "folder."
Stratton indicated that voters are "fed up" with the status quo in Washington and desire more aggressive leadership.
HOW:
Stratton's campaign was bolstered by a strong showing in Chicago and competitiveness in suburban and rural areas against Raja Krishnamoorthi.
Stratton's campaign was supported by endorsements from Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Elizabeth Warren.
Stratton's campaign was bolstered by a strong showing in Chicago and competitiveness in suburban and rural areas against Raja Krishnamoorthi.
Stratton's campaign was supported by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who is a billionaire and was unopposed for re-nomination for a third term.
Stratton emphasized her commitment to fighting for working families during her campaign.
(UPDATED March 19, 2026 07:18 UTC)
In a closely watched primary election held on March 17, 2026, Illinois candidate Stratton delivered a victory speech where she pledged to advocate for Medicare for all and higher wages, declaring, "We are ready to take our democracy back into our own hands." Despite facing a formidable opponent in Raja Krishnamoorthi, who began the year with over $15 million in campaign funds compared to Stratton's $1 million, her campaign gained momentum thanks to significant financial backing from JB Pritzker, who contributed at least $5 million to the Illinois Future PAC. Voter Rochelle Brockenborough, who supported Stratton, voiced her concerns about campaign financing, emphasizing that U.S. tax dollars shouldn't support Israel, while Rep. Yvette Clarke expressed her frustrations with Pritzker's involvement, noting that his actions in this race would not be forgotten.
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(UPDATED March 19, 2026 01:24 UTC)
In a significant primary victory on March 17, Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton declared that her win demonstrates the power of listening to the people and delivering what they want. Stratton has committed to pushing for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, while her campaign was bolstered by endorsements from Senators Tammy Duckworth and Elizabeth Warren. Meanwhile, outside spending for the Senate primary in the Chicagoland area exceeded $52.7 million, with notable contributions from pro-Israel and cryptocurrency committees.
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(UPDATED March 18, 2026 23:11 UTC)
In a significant victory for her campaign, Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton declared, "We did it," following her primary win on March 17, 2026, which saw over 1.1 million votes cast, the highest turnout since 2004. Her campaign was notably supported by at least $5 million from Governor JB Pritzker, despite facing strong opposition from the pro-crypto Fairshake PAC, which spent around $10 million against her. Stratton's message resonated with voters who expressed their frustration with the status quo in Washington, as she emphasized the need for a fighter rather than a "folder."
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(UPDATED March 18, 2026 17:22 UTC)
Juliana Stratton has won the Democratic Senate nomination in Illinois, topping rivals Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly in a contentious primary held last Monday. If elected in November, Stratton would make history as only the fifth Black woman to secure a Senate seat, and she has already stated her intention not to support Chuck Schumer as the leader of the Democratic caucus. Supported by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Stratton's campaign focused on addressing the frustrations of voters who are seeking more aggressive leadership in Washington.