Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has won the race for the U.S. Senate, defeating Republican Don Tracy and making history as one of a small number of Black women elected to the chamber.
The Associated Press called the race for Stratton on Tuesday, November 3, securing the open Senate seat held by retiring Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, who has represented Illinois since 1997.
Stratton’s victory marks a significant milestone in American politics. She is set to become the sixth Black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate and will join Sens. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland. For the first time in U.S. history, three Black women will serve in the Senate simultaneously.
Stratton has served as Illinois lieutenant governor alongside Gov. J.B. Pritzker since 2019. Before taking statewide office, she represented Chicago’s South Side in the Illinois House of Representatives.
Her campaign focused on expanding access to health care, protecting reproductive rights, raising the federal minimum wage and strengthening voting rights. She also positioned herself as a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump’s administration.
Stratton secured the Democratic nomination in March after defeating a competitive field that included U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly. She went on to face Tracy, a former chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, in the general election.
Her victory also represents an important moment for Illinois, which will be represented in the Senate by two women of color. Stratton will serve alongside Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth.
The election comes as Democrats and Republicans compete for control of Congress and the direction of federal policy on health care, the economy, immigration and civil rights.
Stratton will begin her six-year Senate term in January 2027.
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