Illinois’s Next Black Senator Deserves Credit for Her Own Campaign
What's the endgame here?
Log In
Email *
Password *
Remember Me
Forgot Your Password?
Log In
New to The Nation? Subscribe
Print subscriber? Activate your online access
Skip to content Skip to footer
Illinois’s Next Black Senator Deserves Credit for Her Own Campaign
Magazine
Newsletters
Subscribe
Log In
Search
Subscribe
Donate
Magazine
Latest
Archive
Podcasts
Newsletters
Sections
Politics
World
Economy
Culture
Books & the Arts
The Nation
About
Events
Contact Us
Advertise
Current Issue
Politics
/ March 18, 2026
Illinois’s Next Black Senator Deserves Credit for Her Own Campaign
Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton was buoyed by millions spent by Governor JB Pritzker, but she won a tough race on her own merit.
Joan Walsh
Share
Copy Link
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Bluesky Pocket
Email
Edit
Ad Policy
(Christopher Dilts / Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is poised to become the third Black woman sitting senator next year (and only the sixth in history), winning a widely watched primary against two congressional opponents Tuesday night. For most media, the big takeaway is the role of billionaire Governor JB Pritzker, who spent big on behalf of Stratton and campaigned for her across the state. Pritzker’s role is being seen as another marker on his road to a run for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2028.
But that has crowded out Stratton’s own accomplishment. More progressive than the governor, Stratton renewed calls to “Abolish ICE” in her victory speech. She also supports a $25 minimum wage, and has said she will not vote to make Chuck Schumer Senate Leader when she goes to Washington. Her profile rose as she fought alongside Pritzker during ICE’s “Operation Midway Blitz” last year. The Pritzker focus also obscured what some are calling a victory for the Black community, which saw two highly qualified Black women–Stratton faced Rep. Robin Kelly in the primary, with some observers anguished over the possibility that the two women would split the Black vote and clear a lane for centrist Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, backed by AI and crypto interests.
“Congratulations to Juliana Stratton on her victory. Tuesday reflects what is possible when Black women are supported to lead,” Glynda C. Carr, President and CEO of Higher Heights for America PAC, a group that fights for Black women leaders, said in a statement late Tuesday night. “To see two dynamic Black women competing at this level is not a challenge, it is a sign of progress. It speaks to the growth of a pipeline that is strong, capable, and ready.”
The race was nonetheless occasionally bitter between Stratton and Kelly, with the Congressional Black Caucus firmly behind Kelly. Maryland Senator Angela Alsobrooks was the only Black congressmember to endorse Stratton, though she had the backing of Senators Tammy Duckworth, Elizabeth Warren and Tina Smith. Duckworth praised Stratton for her work on maternal health and child care, issues around which she said Krishnamoorthi never tried to partner. Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, who looks likely to follow Stratton to the Senator next year as the first Native female senator, …
What's the endgame here?
Log In
Email *
Password *
Remember Me
Forgot Your Password?
Log In
New to The Nation? Subscribe
Print subscriber? Activate your online access
Skip to content Skip to footer
Illinois’s Next Black Senator Deserves Credit for Her Own Campaign
Magazine
Newsletters
Subscribe
Log In
Search
Subscribe
Donate
Magazine
Latest
Archive
Podcasts
Newsletters
Sections
Politics
World
Economy
Culture
Books & the Arts
The Nation
About
Events
Contact Us
Advertise
Current Issue
Politics
/ March 18, 2026
Illinois’s Next Black Senator Deserves Credit for Her Own Campaign
Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton was buoyed by millions spent by Governor JB Pritzker, but she won a tough race on her own merit.
Joan Walsh
Share
Copy Link
X (Twitter)
Bluesky Pocket
Edit
Ad Policy
(Christopher Dilts / Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is poised to become the third Black woman sitting senator next year (and only the sixth in history), winning a widely watched primary against two congressional opponents Tuesday night. For most media, the big takeaway is the role of billionaire Governor JB Pritzker, who spent big on behalf of Stratton and campaigned for her across the state. Pritzker’s role is being seen as another marker on his road to a run for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2028.
But that has crowded out Stratton’s own accomplishment. More progressive than the governor, Stratton renewed calls to “Abolish ICE” in her victory speech. She also supports a $25 minimum wage, and has said she will not vote to make Chuck Schumer Senate Leader when she goes to Washington. Her profile rose as she fought alongside Pritzker during ICE’s “Operation Midway Blitz” last year. The Pritzker focus also obscured what some are calling a victory for the Black community, which saw two highly qualified Black women–Stratton faced Rep. Robin Kelly in the primary, with some observers anguished over the possibility that the two women would split the Black vote and clear a lane for centrist Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, backed by AI and crypto interests.
“Congratulations to Juliana Stratton on her victory. Tuesday reflects what is possible when Black women are supported to lead,” Glynda C. Carr, President and CEO of Higher Heights for America PAC, a group that fights for Black women leaders, said in a statement late Tuesday night. “To see two dynamic Black women competing at this level is not a challenge, it is a sign of progress. It speaks to the growth of a pipeline that is strong, capable, and ready.”
The race was nonetheless occasionally bitter between Stratton and Kelly, with the Congressional Black Caucus firmly behind Kelly. Maryland Senator Angela Alsobrooks was the only Black congressmember to endorse Stratton, though she had the backing of Senators Tammy Duckworth, Elizabeth Warren and Tina Smith. Duckworth praised Stratton for her work on maternal health and child care, issues around which she said Krishnamoorthi never tried to partner. Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, who looks likely to follow Stratton to the Senator next year as the first Native female senator, …
Illinois’s Next Black Senator Deserves Credit for Her Own Campaign
What's the endgame here?
Log In
Email *
Password *
Remember Me
Forgot Your Password?
Log In
New to The Nation? Subscribe
Print subscriber? Activate your online access
Skip to content Skip to footer
Illinois’s Next Black Senator Deserves Credit for Her Own Campaign
Magazine
Newsletters
Subscribe
Log In
Search
Subscribe
Donate
Magazine
Latest
Archive
Podcasts
Newsletters
Sections
Politics
World
Economy
Culture
Books & the Arts
The Nation
About
Events
Contact Us
Advertise
Current Issue
Politics
/ March 18, 2026
Illinois’s Next Black Senator Deserves Credit for Her Own Campaign
Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton was buoyed by millions spent by Governor JB Pritzker, but she won a tough race on her own merit.
Joan Walsh
Share
Copy Link
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Bluesky Pocket
Email
Edit
Ad Policy
(Christopher Dilts / Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is poised to become the third Black woman sitting senator next year (and only the sixth in history), winning a widely watched primary against two congressional opponents Tuesday night. For most media, the big takeaway is the role of billionaire Governor JB Pritzker, who spent big on behalf of Stratton and campaigned for her across the state. Pritzker’s role is being seen as another marker on his road to a run for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2028.
But that has crowded out Stratton’s own accomplishment. More progressive than the governor, Stratton renewed calls to “Abolish ICE” in her victory speech. She also supports a $25 minimum wage, and has said she will not vote to make Chuck Schumer Senate Leader when she goes to Washington. Her profile rose as she fought alongside Pritzker during ICE’s “Operation Midway Blitz” last year. The Pritzker focus also obscured what some are calling a victory for the Black community, which saw two highly qualified Black women–Stratton faced Rep. Robin Kelly in the primary, with some observers anguished over the possibility that the two women would split the Black vote and clear a lane for centrist Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, backed by AI and crypto interests.
“Congratulations to Juliana Stratton on her victory. Tuesday reflects what is possible when Black women are supported to lead,” Glynda C. Carr, President and CEO of Higher Heights for America PAC, a group that fights for Black women leaders, said in a statement late Tuesday night. “To see two dynamic Black women competing at this level is not a challenge, it is a sign of progress. It speaks to the growth of a pipeline that is strong, capable, and ready.”
The race was nonetheless occasionally bitter between Stratton and Kelly, with the Congressional Black Caucus firmly behind Kelly. Maryland Senator Angela Alsobrooks was the only Black congressmember to endorse Stratton, though she had the backing of Senators Tammy Duckworth, Elizabeth Warren and Tina Smith. Duckworth praised Stratton for her work on maternal health and child care, issues around which she said Krishnamoorthi never tried to partner. Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, who looks likely to follow Stratton to the Senator next year as the first Native female senator, …
