SouthernWorldwide.com – Illinois Lt. Gov. Lisa Stratton has secured victory in Tuesday’s Democratic primary election, positioning herself to succeed the retiring Senator Dick Durbin. This outcome, projected by CBS News, comes after a closely contested race that intensified in its final days. The election’s dynamics may set a precedent for other midterm primaries, particularly concerning President Trump’s immigration enforcement policies and the influence of outside spending.
A significant element in the race was Governor JB Pritzker’s strategic involvement. He provided his endorsement and substantial campaign funding to his lieutenant governor, underscoring his political influence.
All three leading candidates—Stratton, and Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly—had pledged to oppose the Trump administration’s policies in the Senate, especially those related to immigration enforcement. However, the degree of their commitment and proposed actions varied.
File: U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton participate in a Democratic primary debate at the University of Chicago on Jan. 26, 2026.
Chicago Tribune
ICE and Homeland Security
The reform of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) emerged as a critical issue for Illinois voters. This was particularly true following a months-long immigration crackdown in the Chicago area, known as “Operation Midway Blitz.”
This operation was characterized by controversial arrests and confrontations with protesters. Local leaders widely condemned it as excessive and unwarranted.
All three leading candidates expressed a desire to abolish ICE, albeit with slight variations in their proposals. Krishnamoorthi called for an end to President Trump’s utilization of ICE, while Stratton advocated for the agency’s dissolution and suggested some ICE agents should face prosecution.
Kelly proposed the most sweeping change, calling for the dismantling of both ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Stratton emphasized the need for a complete overhaul of immigration enforcement. She prioritizes immigration judges and community-based social services. Furthermore, she stated that federal agents who have violated the law should be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
“We shouldn’t see CBP marching down Michigan Avenue in Chicago,” Stratton told CBS News. “I wanna abolish ICE because I don’t believe that this agency can be reformed.”
When asked about her ability to persuade a Senate majority to abolish ICE, Stratton did not provide a direct answer. She indicated that voters are weary of the current situation in Washington and urged Democrats to maintain their stance against DHS funding.
Senate Democrats and Republicans have reached an impasse over DHS funding. This deadlock occurred after Democrats demanded changes to ICE following the tragic shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota in February. DHS has been operating under a shutdown since February 14.
“We have a president who’s not even a normal person. And so I don’t think that business as usual is gonna cut it anymore,” Stratton added.
Among the prominent candidates, Kelly was unique in advocating for the complete dismantling and rebuilding of DHS.
“We need to dismantle ICE. We need to dismantle Border Patrol like it is now, and also USCIS that takes care of citizenship and asylums. It’s all broken,” Kelly stated in an interview with CBS News Chicago.
Krishnamoorthi expressed that he sees no significant differences between his stance and Stratton’s regarding ICE. He informed CBS News that he would not support allocating any further funds to ICE or CBP.
He also supports measures such as banning agents from wearing masks, requiring identification and body cameras for officers, and implementing third-party investigations into the use of force by agents.
A February CBS News poll indicated that a majority of Democratic and independent voters believe ICE operations should be reduced. The centrist organization Third Way has cautioned that calls to abolish ICE by Democratic candidates could prove “politically lethal” in more competitive states.
They argue that ICE should be reformed rather than abolished.
Krishnamoorthi has stated he is not concerned about messaging on abolishing ICE being used against Republicans in the midterms.
“I think that the Republican Party is losing the argument that somehow ICE and CBP are acting okay. I think the vast majority of Americans see that they’re not, and they see that ICE and CBP are acting recklessly, outta control with impunity, illegally and unconstitutionally,” he remarked. “That is why Democrats are on firm ground calling for numerous changes right now.”
Outside Crypto and Pritzker Spending
Krishnamoorthi out-raised and out-spent his opponents, extensively advertising across the state since July of the previous year. According to advertisement tracking firm AdImpact, he spent over $20 million more than Stratton on advertising.
He also benefited from approximately $10 million in outside spending from Fairshake, a super PAC funded by Silicon Valley venture firm Andreessen Horowitz and Coinbase executives. Fairshake has accumulated a substantial war chest for the 2026 races.
Krishnamoorthi’s primary opponents drew attention to donations made by Andreessen Horowitz’s founders to a pro-Trump super PAC in 2024.
Krishnamoorthi refuted any suggestions that he is indebted to pro-crypto businesses. He stated his support for “common sense” regulations of cryptocurrency and digital assets. He has called for “fundamental change” to the campaign finance system and advocates for overturning Citizens United.
This Supreme Court decision enabled unlimited campaign spending by corporations and super PACs.
While Stratton criticized corporate PACs for supporting Krishnamoorthi, she received backing from Pritzker. In December, the governor contributed over $5 million to a super PAC supporting her. Illinois Future PAC spent more than $12 million.
Further donations from Pritzker to the super PAC have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Krishnamoorthi suggested that Pritzker’s financial support was the primary reason Stratton remained competitive.
“It is what it is,” Krishnamoorthi commented on Pritzker’s donations to support Stratton. “I’m not beholden to one person, one family, one industry or anything.”
Stratton argued that the values of the corporate PACs backing Krishnamoorthi are misaligned with voters and cannot be compared to her support from Pritzker.
“We’re talking about a Democratic governor from the state of Illinois who has been working his entire life, and certainly as governor, to uplift every community across Illinois. That’s not the same,” Stratton stated.
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Pritzker’s Influence in the Race Tested as He Mulls 2028 Presidential Bid
Stratton’s campaign team and Illinois Future PAC are staffed by Pritzker’s former aides. Several of her television advertisements prominently feature her endorsement from Pritzker.
“I’m proud to have Governor Pritzker’s support. I believe that he’s endorsed me because he knows my work ethic and he knows what we’ve been able to accomplish together,” she said.
However, his involvement drew criticism from the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, which had endorsed Kelly. Stratton is also Black.
Kelly has had a political disagreement with Pritzker since he removed her as the chair of the state Democratic Party. CBC Chair Rep. Yvette Clarke described Pritzker’s involvement as “beyond frustrating.” Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina traveled to Chicago to fundraise for Kelly.
“Quite frankly, [Pritzker’s] behavior in this race won’t soon be forgotten by any of us,” Clarke told Punchbowl News.
In response to Clarke’s criticism, Pritzker stated earlier this month, “I would like a Black woman to represent us in the United States Senate. I just want the best person. She happens to be a Black woman.”
The Illinois governor, who is also seeking reelection this year, informed The New York Times that he is not currently considering a 2028 presidential campaign and is focused on the gubernatorial race.
While the millions Pritzker spent on Stratton’s campaign were considerably less than what he has invested in his own races, Chicago-based political strategist Frank Calabrese noted before the election that Stratton’s loss in the primary could impact any 2028 ambitions.
“If she loses, it will make him look ineffective in his own state,” Calabrese said.
When asked if Pritzker should run for president in 2028, Stratton responded that Pritzker would be a “fantastic” presidential candidate.
Krishnamoorthi declined to speculate on the governor’s future plans.
“If I’m privileged to be the next senator, I need to work with anybody from any party and of course, Governor Pritzker and others, to do what’s in the very best interest of Illinois,” he stated.
SouthernWorldwide.com – Illinois Lt. Gov. Lisa Stratton has won Tuesday’s Democratic primary to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin, CBS News has projected, after the race heated up in recent days, potentially setting the tone for other midterm primaries on issues like President Trump’s deportation policies and outside spending.
Another factor in the race was Gov. JB Pritzker’s attempt at powerbrokering: he gave his endorsement and millions in campaign funds to his lieutenant governor.
All three leading candidates, Stratton and Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, had pledged to fight the Trump administration in the Senate — particularly on immigration enforcement — but for each, it’s a matter of degree.
File: U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton participate in a Democratic primary debate at the University of Chicago on Jan. 26, 2026.
Chicago Tribune
ICE and homeland security
Reforming Immigrations and Customs Enforcement is a high-profile issue for Illinois voters after the monthslong ICE crackdown on immigration in the Chicago area, dubbed “Operation Midway Blitz.” The initiative, which was marked by controversial arrests and clashes with protesters, was decried by local leaders as heavy-handed and unjustified.
All three of the candidates called for ICE to be abolished – with some semantic differences. Krishnamoorthi called for Mr. Trump’s use of ICE to be abolished, while Stratton called for the agency to be shuttered and says some ICE agents should be prosecuted. Kelly went the furthest — she wanted to see ICE and the Department of Homeland Security dismantled.
Stratton says immigration enforcement should get a “total revamp.” She wants to see immigration judges and community-based social services prioritized and says federal agents who’ve broken the law should be “investigated and fully prosecuted.”
“We shouldn’t see CBP marching down Michigan Avenue in Chicago,” she told CBS News. “I wanna abolish ICE because I don’t believe that this agency can be reformed.”
Asked if she could convince a majority of Senate Democrats to back abolishing ICE, Stratton did not directly answer. She said voters are tired of the status quo in Washington and called on Democrats to continue to “hold the line” against DHS funding. Senate Democrats and Republicans have deadlocked over funding for DHS, after Democrats demanded changes to ICE in the wake of the deadly shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota in February. DHS has been shut down since Feb. 14.
“We have a president who’s not even a normal person. And so I don’t think that business as usual is gonna cut it anymore,” she added.
Among the top contenders, Kelly was alone in pushing for DHS to be dismantled and rebuilt from the ground up.
“We need to dismantle ICE. We need to dismantle Border Patrol like it is now, and also USCIS that takes care of citizenship and asylums. It’s all broken,” Kelly told CBS News Chicago.
Krishnamoorthi said he doesn’t think there are any material differences between him and Stratton on ICE. He told CBS News he wouldn’t vote to give ICE or CBP “another nickel,” and says he supports banning agents from wearing masks and requiring identification and body cameras for officers. He also supports third-party investigations of the use of force by agents.
A majority of Democratic and independent voters believe that ICE operations need to be decreased, according to a February CBS News poll. The moderate group Third Way warns that calls to abolish ICE by Democratic candidates could be “politically lethal” in more competitive states, arguing ICE should be fixed, not abolished.
Krishnamoorthi has said he’s not concerned if messaging on abolishing ICE could be used as a political cudgel by Republicans in the midterms.
“I think that the Republican Party is losing the argument that somehow ICE and CBP are acting okay. I think the vast majority of Americans see that they’re not, and they see that ICE and CBP are acting recklessly, outta control with impunity, illegally and unconstitutionally,” he said. “That is why Democrats are on firm ground calling for numerous changes right now.”
Outside crypto and Pritzker spending
Krishnamoorthi outraised and outspent his opponents, blanketing the state with ads since last July. He outspent Stratton on ad spending by over $20 million, according to
