Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi Loses Democratic Primary for Illinois Senate; Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton Wins

CHICAGO, IL — Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi has lost the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate in Illinois, NBC News projects, with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton emerging as the projected winner in the high-profile race to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin. Stratton, backed by Gov. JB Pritzker, defeated Krishnamoorthi and Rep. Robin Kelly after an expensive and closely watched contest, according to NBC News.

Stratton led in vote-rich Cook County with roughly 40% of the vote to Krishnamoorthi’s 29% and Kelly’s 23%, with about 80% of expected votes counted. She carried the city of Chicago by a 20-point margin over Krishnamoorthi, while the two were essentially tied in the surrounding suburbs.

“If she is elected, Stratton would become the sixth Black woman to serve in the Senate and the first time three Black women would serve simultaneously,” NBC News reports. Stratton has positioned herself as a progressive fighter in Washington, emphasizing policies including Medicare for All, a $25 minimum wage, and abolishing ICE, while criticizing members of her own party for not standing up to former President Donald Trump.

The primary was marked by heavy spending. Krishnamoorthi, a five-term House member, spent $29 million on ads, while Stratton’s campaign spent $1.1 million. However, Stratton benefited from support via the Illinois Future PAC, funded in part by Gov. Pritzker, which spent $14.9 million on advertising boosting her campaign and targeting Krishnamoorthi. Rep. Kelly spent $1.4 million in the race.

Stratton has previously served in the Illinois Legislature and became Pritzker’s running mate in 2018. She also earned endorsements from Senators Tammy Duckworth and Elizabeth Warren, among others.

“What I’ve heard from people very clearly is that they are fed up with what’s happening in Washington,” Stratton told NBC News. “They are frustrated and angry that they see a president who stomps on the Constitution, who kind of takes action on a whim without thinking about what’s best for the American people. And they’re looking for a fighter in Washington, somebody who’s going to stand up and be a check on this president.”

The victory sets Stratton on a path to face the Republican nominee in the November general election, with the seat considered a key race in the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.