Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on Thursday became the first prominent Democrat to launch a bid for Sen. Dick Durbin’s Senate seat, painting herself as a new leader who can speak for the "working people" and help stand up to President Donald Trump.
Stratton’s announcement in an early morning two-minute video comes just a day after Durbin announced he’s not seeking reelection for the Senate seat he has held since 1996.
Stratton wrote on X, "I'm Juliana Stratton, and I'm running for United States Senate."
"There's just such a sense of urgency, I believe, for people just feeling the weight of the chaos that's coming out of Washington D.C. and looking for someone to lead the way," Stratton told the Sun-Times about jumping into the race first.
In a biographical video, Stratton takes aim at Trump and key adviser Elon Musk for creating "nonstop chaos," and introduces herself as "the daughter of a teacher and a Navy veteran from the South Side of Chicago and a proud mom of four."
"Donald Trump and Elon Musk are trying to distract us, to create such a mess that we don't know where to start," Stratton says. "But in Washington, they're still using the same things they've always done, and that old playbook isn't working."
She says her path to the Senate isn't typical, "but then again, typical isn't what we need right now."
Stratton touts the accomplishments made during her six-plus years as lieutenant governor, including raising the minimum wage, the state's infrastructure accomplishments, gun safety laws and enshrining abortion laws in Illinois. She also points fingers at the Trump administration for pushing for massive health care cuts and widespread tariffs — and says the state has eliminated millions in medical debt and gotten rid of the grocery tax.
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 Gov. JB 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.
In an interview, Stratton said she's "not at all" worried about incoming attacks about the Pritzker administration's policies. She also tried to differentiate herself from the sitting members of Congress who are expected to announce runs.
"I certainly feel like the old playbook that we've had in Washington just isn't working, and I think that people are looking for new voices, new leadership, new energy, quite frankly," Stratton said. "I think we're hearing that over and over again."
Stratton has served alongside Pritzker as lieutenant governor since 2018, and previously served as a state representative. She is the first Black woman to ever hold the office, and one of eight Black women in history to hold the title in the country.
Stratton, along with a wide range of potential Democratic challengers, will have to do some aggressive fundraising to keep up with U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi’s massive $19 million and counting campaign haul. Pritzker is likely to help Stratton’s campaign with an endorsement or spending on her behalf, per federal election guidelines. But it’s unclear how much he’ll contribute.
Asked about her expectations from Pritzker, Stratton said she'll "work hard to earn" his support.
"He has been not only a partner in governance, but he's a friend. And he's somebody that I respect so deeply and just have been so proud to serve by his side," Stratton said. "I'm going to work hard to earn his support, just like I am with every single other Illinoisan that I come in contact with as I travel the state."
Shortly after Stratton's announcement, the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association endorsed her Senate bid and also pledged to commit seven figures in support of her campaign.
In January, Stratton launched a federal political action committee called Level Up to help prepare for a Senate run, and to help support candidates, campaigns and causes that help the working class. The hybrid PAC, which is run by allies, was also intended to support a potential bid. But Stratton must now create a separate campaign committee with the launch of her candidacy, per Federal Election Commission rules. Once she separates herself from the PAC, the money raised could be contributed to her new campaign.
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 also 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.
