Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is seeking to make history Tuesday as voters choose a successor to retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin in the November 3 general election.
If elected, Stratton would become the second Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Illinois, following Carol Moseley Braun, who became the first Black woman elected to the chamber in 1992. The election comes 34 years after Braun’s historic victory and marks another significant moment in Illinois politics.
Stratton, a Democrat who has served as lieutenant governor since 2019, faces Republican Don Tracy and American Center Party candidate Whitfield Harrington Jr. in the race for the seat Durbin has held since 1997.
Before becoming lieutenant governor, Stratton represented Chicago’s 5th District in the Illinois House of Representatives. She was elected to the legislature in 2016 and joined Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration following their victory in the 2018 election.
During her time in state government, Stratton has worked on criminal justice reform, economic opportunity, healthcare access and issues affecting women and families. She has also been involved in efforts addressing maternal health disparities and improving opportunities for communities historically underserved by public institutions.
Her campaign for the Senate has focused on several major issues facing Illinois residents, including the cost of living, access to affordable healthcare, workers’ rights and reproductive freedoms.
Stratton has advocated for raising the federal minimum wage, expanding healthcare coverage and increasing economic opportunities for working families. She has also supported stronger voting rights protections and federal legislation protecting abortion access.
Tracy, a Springfield attorney and former chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, has campaigned on reducing government spending, addressing inflation and lowering costs for families and businesses. His campaign has also emphasized border security, public safety and policies intended to encourage economic growth.
Harrington, a Chicago pastor running under the American Center Party banner, has positioned his candidacy as an alternative to the Democratic and Republican parties. His campaign has emphasized a more moderate approach to government and policies addressing economic pressures on working families.
The candidates are competing at a time when economic concerns remain central to political debates across Illinois and the nation. Housing affordability, healthcare expenses, employment opportunities and federal spending are among the issues that could shape the priorities of the state’s next senator.
For Chicago residents, the outcome will determine who represents their interests in Washington as Congress considers legislation affecting public schools, transportation, healthcare, housing and community development.
The election also marks the end of an influential chapter in Illinois politics. Durbin, who announced he would not seek another term, has served in the Senate for nearly three decades and held a prominent leadership role as Senate Democratic whip.
His retirement creates an open Senate seat and gives Illinois voters the opportunity to select a new voice in Washington for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Stratton’s candidacy carries particular historical significance because of Illinois’ role in advancing Black political representation at the national level.
Braun’s election in 1992 broke a longstanding barrier in the Senate. She served one term, from 1993 to 1999, becoming a nationally recognized figure in American political history.
Barack Obama later represented Illinois in the Senate from 2005 until 2008, when he was elected the nation’s first Black president.
Despite those milestones, Black women have remained significantly underrepresented in the Senate. Only a small number have served in the chamber since its establishment, making Stratton’s campaign noteworthy beyond Illinois.
Stratton has spoken throughout her political career about expanding opportunities for women, strengthening communities and ensuring that government policies address the needs of residents who have historically faced barriers to economic and political participation.
Her campaign has also emphasized the importance of protecting federal programs and services that support families, particularly as national debates continue over healthcare, social services and government spending.
The winner of Tuesday’s election will serve a six-year term and participate in decisions involving federal legislation, judicial confirmations, national security and government funding.
Illinois voters will also help determine the balance of power in Congress as Democrats and Republicans compete for control of the House and Senate.
While the possibility of a historic victory has drawn attention to Stratton’s candidacy, voters will ultimately decide which candidate’s experience, priorities and proposals best reflect their expectations for Illinois’ next senator.
Polls across Illinois will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 3.
The Chicago Defender will continue following the Senate race and reporting election results as votes are counted.
