Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has won the competitive Democratic primary race to replace U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin on the heels of a late campaign surge and millions in support from longtime running-mate Gov. JB Pritzker.
Stratton’s momentum was enough to overcome an astounding $29 million that Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi spent on campaign ads.
It began with a commanding debate performance in January and was amplified by ads in the final weeks of the campaign. Stratton outperformed Krishnamoorthi in the Metro East region, Sangamon County, Chicago and some suburbs of Cook County — which took away any lead the congressman had in collar counties.
Stratton led Krishnamoorthi 39.4% to 33.6% with 80% of votes counted. U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly was running in third with 18.5%. Krishnamoorthi conceded about 9:30 p.m.
Stratton spoke to supporters just after 10 p.m., thanking her family, her supporters and her political allies, including Gov. JB Pritzker and Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who both endorsed her.
“I am humbled and honored to stand before you tonight as your Democratic nominee for United States Senate,” Stratton said.
“We did it tonight. We showed what’s possible when you listen to the people and give the people what they want.”
She called Pritzker and Duckworth “steadfast partners and friends who have cheered me on and stood by my side day after day.”
Stratton spoke directly to her Senate competitors Krishnamoorthi and Kelly: “Running for office is never easy. It requires grit, determination and sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up to run.”
Of the rest of her campaign, Stratton said, “We’re ready to take our democracy back into our own hands.”
This story will be updated.