Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth is wading into the open primary to succeed longtime Sen. Dick Durbin, endorsing Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton to join her in representing Illinois in the Senate.
Tammy Duckworth’s Endorsement of Juliana Stratton
Stratton, who was endorsed by Gov. JB Pritzker last week, has now received the backing of two of the state’s top Democrats in the opening days of her campaign, drawing the party establishment to her side even as a crowded primary appears to be taking shape.
“Juliana has not only proven to be an experienced and effective Lieutenant Governor — she’s demonstrated time and again that she truly understands and cares for working people,” Duckworth said in a statement shared first with POLITICO. “I’d be honored to have her by my side in the Senate as we work to deliver real results for Illinoisans, and I’m proud to endorse her campaign.”
Stratton launched her campaign last week just one day after Durbin announced his long-expected retirement. She was quickly endorsed by Pritzker and the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, which said it would commit to spending “seven figures in support of her campaign.”
Competition in the Senate Race
But an open seat in a safely blue state is a prime opportunity for ambitious Democrats — Durbin has held the seat since 1997 — and Stratton almost certainly won’t have the race to herself. That makes Duckworth’s endorsement even more notable, as Stratton could soon be joined by as many as three members of the state’s congressional delegation who serve with Duckworth in Washington. State Treasurer Mike Frerichs is also weighing whether to jump in the race.
In a statement last week, Rep. Robin Kelly said she will make an announcement this week “about my plans moving forward to ensure all Illinoisans have a proven fighter, someone grounded in service and compassion, in Washington.” Democratic Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lauren Underwood are also eyeing bids for Durbin’s seat. And while Duckworth has teamed up with them to support legislation over the years, she has faced off against a few of them, too.
Political History and Alliances
Krishnamoorthi was a competitor who battled Duckworth in the highly contested 2012 primary for the 8th Congressional District, which Duckworth won before going on to win her Senate seat in 2016. Krishnamoorthi ran again for the House seat that year and won, succeeding Duckworth.
And Duckworth has also gone against Kelly, teaming up with Pritzker a few years ago to support Kelly’s opponent in a high-profile battle to lead the Illinois Democratic Party. Kelly won that contest.
Duckworth and Stratton have been allies for years.
Among their shared history: Duckworth pushed former President Joe Biden to invoke the Antiquities Act in 2023 that established the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument in Mississippi and Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood on the South Side where Stratton lives. And Stratton, who is Black, has appeared with Duckworth, a Thai American, to support the Asian American community for AANHPI Heritage Month.
Stratton said in a prepared statement that she was “honored” by the endorsement, adding, “Tammy is a true leader for Illinois who doesn’t back down from a challenge.
