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Illinois Lieutenant Governor Stratton wins US Senate Democratic primary, NBC projects

Stratton overcame a $26 million fundraising gap with $20 million in outside support from Gov. Pritzker and unions, securing a path to likely win the November general election.

  • NBC News projected that Gov. Juliana Stratton won the Democratic Senate primary on March 17, 2026, and she will face Republican nominee Don Tracy in the Nov. 3 general election.
  • Stratton, a former state legislator and lieutenant governor, served eight years as JB Pritzker's running mate and backed Medicare for All, abolishing ICE, and a $25 minimum wage.
  • Fundraising and outside ad buys showed that Krishnamoorthi bought $29 million in ads, with nearly $30.5 million in FEC reports, while Illinois Future PAC spent $14.9 million, Pritzker donated $5 million, and Fairshake spent nearly $10 million in attacks.
  • With the primary secured, Stratton is positioned to win in November, potentially becoming Illinois's second Black woman senator and the sixth in U.S. history.
  • Internal party critics noted that the race attracted less national attention than a Texas Senate primary earlier this month, despite Stratton's projected victory, amid intra-party disputes over outside influence.
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NewsNation broke the news in Chicago, United States on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
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