Pritzker endorses Illinois lieutenant governor in bid for Durbin seat

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) is endorsing Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (D) in the Democratic primary to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in Illinois.

“At this perilous moment in Washington, Juliana’s fighting spirit and dedication to improving lives is exactly the type of representation Illinoisans need, and I’m proud to endorse her for the United States Senate,” Pritzker said in a statement shared through Stratton’s campaign.

Stratton in her own statement said she “couldn’t be prouder to have earned his endorsement” and lauded the Illinois governor as a “true leader for our state who has shown the country what it looks like to stand up to Donald Trump and fight for the values we hold dear.”

Stratton is the first major Democrat to enter the race to run for the seat held by Durbin, who on Wednesday announced his plan to retire. Several other Democrats could also jump in, including Illinois Reps. Robin Kelly, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lauren Underwood.

The Pritzker endorsement offers a key boost to Stratton in the Democratic primary, though each of the potential and declared contenders offer their own benefits. Kelly hails from a district that’s a unique blend of rural, suburban and urban; Krishnamoorthi has a war chest of $19.4 million; and Underwood has been able to win tough races, including defeating then-incumbent Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.) in 2018 and former state Sen. Jim Oberweis (R) in 2020.

Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) has hinted he might be taking a look at the primary on the GOP side.

Given the state’s Democratic leanings, whoever wins the Democratic primary for the seat next year is poised to be the heavy favorite in the general election.