Since her primary win, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has been building coalitions in Illinois and Washington as she challenges Don Tracy, the state’s former Republican Party chair, and positions herself to become the state’s fourth Black senator.

Although the numbers are in Stratton’s favor in blue Illinois, she says she’s not taking anything for granted. And she’s also traveling throughout the country to help boost Democrats.

“I always tell people who kind of say, ‘Oh, well it’s Illinois,’ and I always say, ‘Well I’m taking this race seriously. I am working hard to get my message out and doing everything I can…”

Stratton defeated fundraising leader U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Rep. Robin Kelly in a contentious primary that included a late campaign surge and millions in support from longtime running mate Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.

The lieutenant governor was the lone candidate to support completely abolishing ICE, offering up a more progressive stance for voters. Krishnamoorthi vowed support for “abolishing Trump’s ICE,” the same position as Pritzker.

She also made headlines during a January debate in being the only primary candidate to say she wouldn’t support Sen. Chuck Schumer as the party’s Senate leader — a position many national Democratic candidates are now taking.

Should Stratton win, she’d be part of a new class of incoming Illinois Democrats in a year that saw a seismic shift set in place by Sen. Dick Durbin’s retirement. With Reps. Danny Davis, Jan Schakowsky and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia also announcing their retirements, the state saw five open congressional seats and the open Senate seat.

“There’s a real desire to see people who are real fighters against this president, who I have had no qualms in saying has a real authoritarian agenda and wants to be a dictator,” Stratton said. “So I think it’s just that we’re looking for new people who are speaking to the issues that we care about, who are being very clear when they talk about what they want to do, the kinds of solutions they want to see that will make people’s lives better.”

Stratton said while she plans to fight Trump’s policies and help improve access to healthcare, she also wants to carry on some of Durbin’s “unfinished business,” including a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and DACA recipients.

“I hope to carry on some of that work alongside some incredible leaders who are already doing that work in the Senate, " Stratton said. “So, not to recreate the wheel but to join in and make sure that we have a real path.”

Tracy, the former chair of the Illinois Republican Party, says he’s representing the millions of Republicans in the state who want to focus on the cost of living, healthcare and taxes, among other issues.

“I’m running to bring a voice and bring hope to down ballot Republicans and Republicans throughout the state,” Tracy said. “I”ve been blessed with economic success, so I don’t have [former Gov. Bruce] Rauner money or Pritzker money. But I have enough to hopefully not get outspent 20 to one.”

Stratton had $1.1 million cash on hand at the end of June, according to Federal Election Commission records. Tracy had $1.5 million — but lent $2 million to his campaign in August 2025 ahead of the GOP primary.

Tracy accused Stratton of running a “hiding Biden” campaign — and said he wants to debate her. He stopped short of calling her a “socialist,” but said her positions align with Sen. Bernie Sanders. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

“I guess it worked for Joe, so maybe it’s going to work for her. I don’t think she’s afraid to debate me. She’s a very good debater. She’s a lawyer, but I do think she doesn’t want to debate because it will expose some of her, what I call far left positions, Democrat socialist positions.”

Stratton has pushed back on that characterization, saying voters want to see candidates forcefully call out ICE and work towards healthcare for all. Stratton’s campaign said the two will debate on Oct. 20 — and bashed Tracy for supporting Trump policies.

“She looks forward to sharing her positive vision for making life more affordable, creating economic opportunity, and defending our rights and freedoms with Illinois voters while Don Tracy demonstrates how he’ll rubber stamp Donald Trump’s disastrous agenda,” Stratton spokeswoman Allison Janowski said.

As for Tracy’s view on Trump, the former Republican chair said, “it depends on the policy.”

“I’m not going to be a rubber stamp for anybody,” Tracy said.

He said he hasn’t asked Trump for an endorsement but he wouldn’t turn it down. Tracy also expressed some support for the Save Act, including voter ID and proving citizenship when registering to vote.

“I’m more of an incrementalist, and I’d go for voter ID first, and then see how that goes, and then go for the proof of citizenship,” Tracy said. “And then work on the mail-in voting rules, make it more secure.”

Whitfield Harrington Jr. is the independent candidate on the ballot and says he’s helping to form the “American Center Party.” He says a new party is needed to veer politics to the center. Harrington Jr. was born in Mississippi and serves as a pastor in Chicago.