Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker is expected to endorse his lieutenant governor and running mate, Juliana Stratton, for the U.S. Senate on Friday—a move that could send a strong political message to others eyeing the seat left open by retiring Sen. Dick Durbin.
The endorsement is set to be announced at a church in Bronzeville, the Chicago neighborhood where Stratton grew up. It comes just two days after Durbin said he won’t seek a sixth term and one day after Stratton officially launched her campaign.
According to remarks shared in advance, Pritzker will call Stratton a “tested and steady leader” who governs with “integrity, pragmatism, and dedication,” praising her as someone who can “get big things done.” He adds that her passion and fighting spirit are exactly what Illinois needs in Washington.
With Pritzker’s support, Stratton gains the backing of the most influential figure in the Illinois Democratic Party, giving her an early advantage as she tries to establish herself as the race’s frontrunner.
Pritzker, a billionaire and heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune, has long used his wealth to boost Democrats across Illinois. He spent $350 million of his own money to win the 2018 and 2022 elections alongside Stratton.
While Pritzker hasn’t said how much financial support he’ll give Stratton’s Senate run, it’s expected he’ll help. Other Democrats considering entering the race include Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Robin Kelly, and Lauren Underwood, as well as State Treasurer Michael Frerichs.
Stratton can’t use funds from her state campaign account for a federal race due to stricter rules, but congressional candidates can tap into their existing accounts. Krishnamoorthi has $19.4 million, Kelly has over $2 million, and Underwood has $1.1 million as of early April.
Even before launching her Senate bid, Stratton often highlighted her partnership with Pritzker. In her prepared remarks, she’ll call him “a true leader” who has shown how to stand up to Donald Trump and fight for shared values.
Stratton is also expected to promise to bring their accomplishments to Washington. After announcing her campaign Thursday, she began doing interviews with local media to share her story and boost her visibility with voters.
Pritzker hasn’t yet said if he’ll run for a third term as governor, but his growing national presence has sparked talk of a possible 2028 presidential run. If he does seek re-election, Stratton’s Senate campaign means he’ll need to choose a new running mate.
