Duckworth endorses Stratton for Durbin Senate seat

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) is endorsing Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (D) in the Democratic primary next year as she vies for retiring Sen. Dick Durbin’s (D-Ill.) seat.

“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 through the Stratton campaign.

“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 for the United States Senate,” the Illinois senator added.

Stratton said she was “so honored” to receive Duckworth’s endorsement in her own statement, calling the senator “a true leader for Illinois who doesn’t back down from a challenge.”

Durbin announced last week that he would not be seeking reelection for a sixth term in the Senate, paving the way for what was expected to be a spirited primary. Stratton announced a run for Durbin’s seat a day after his announcement, and she’s already received an endorsement from Gov. JB Pritzker (D).

Duckworth’s decision to wade into the primary early is notable as home state senators often opt to avoid getting involved in the senatorial contest if it’s expected to be crowded or they have relationships with multiple expected primary contenders.

Other Democrats who could launch their own bids for Durbin’s seat in addition to Stratton include Reps. Robin Kelly, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lauren Underwood.

The endorsements of Pritzker and Duckworth may be an early sign of how some Democrats are looking to consolidate the field quickly and avoid a potentially messy primary.

Given Illinois’s Democratic leanings, however, whoever wins the party's primary contest for Durbin’s seat next year is expected to be the heavy favorite to win in the general election.