After defeating two Democratic members of Congress and eight other candidates in a heated March primary, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton faces former Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy in the Nov. 3 election for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by Sen. Dick Durbin’s retirement.

Stratton won the primary on the heels of a late campaign surge and millions in support from longtime running mate Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. Her momentum was enough to overcome an astounding $29 million Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi spent on campaign ads.

It began with a commanding debate performance in January and was amplified by strong 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 some collar counties.

Republicans haven’t won a statewide seat in Illinois in 12 years, when Pritzker unseated GOP former Gov. Bruce Rauner, a close ally of Tracy. But Tracy says he’s running to give a voice to the millions of Republicans in the state.

So what?

Durbin’s retirement announcement in April 2025 caused a seismic shift in Illinois politics, opening up the U.S. Senate seat he has held since 1996. That announcement also opened up the 2nd Congressional seat, with Rep. Robin Kelly opting to run for the primary, and the 8th Congressional District, where Krishnamoorthi also opted to run. Stratton’s March victory also served as a test of Pritzker’s political might as he explores his own future, with the Democratic governor endorsing her just a day after she announced her run in April.

How long is the term?

The seat’s six-year term will begin January 2027.

What does a U.S. senator do?

Senators take action on bills, resolutions, amendments, motions, nominations and treaties by voting. Most importantly, they can confirm U.S. presidential appointments, approve or reject treaties and can convict or exonerate impeachment cases — which could be a factor during President Donald Trump’s second term.

Who are the candidates?

Stratton served in the Illinois General Assembly before Pritzker tapped her to serve as his running mate in 2018. As lieutenant governor, Stratton helped oversee the Illinois Birth Equity Initiative, which requires insurers that provide state health care plans to cover pregnancy and postpartum services for up to 12 months after the end of pregnancy. Stratton helped spearhead maternal health discussions with doulas and midwives with the aim of improving birth equity and maternal health outcomes for Black women. She also led the Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative, which aimed to centralize and coordinate criminal justice reforms across state agencies. Illinois will see its fourth Black senator in the Senate if Stratton wins the reliably blue seat in November. She would also become the sixth Black woman to serve in the current Senate.

Among her campaign platforms, Stratton said she supports a $25 minimum wage, abolishing ICE, Medicare for All and a federal tax increase on individuals earning $1 million or more annually.

Tracy is a Springfield attorney and businessman. He served as the chair of the Illinois Republican Party from 2021 until his resignation in July 2024. He is also the former chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board, appointed in 2015. Tracy pointed to Republican infighting for his exit from his chairmanship of the state GOP party in 2024 after three and a half years, a tenure that saw the party’s influence wane further in the state as its base moves further right. Tracy ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 2010 — and won a Democratic primary for a state Senate seat in 2002. He lost in the general election. Tracy was narrowly elected state GOP chair over pushback from hardline conservative leaders from rural areas downstate, where Trump remains immensely popular.

Tracy says he wants stricter border enforcement, upholding federal immigration laws and stronger support for law enforcement. He’s also supportive of Trump’s plan for a voter ID.