Illinois’ primary elections on Tuesday offered a clear picture of who is likely to head to Congress next year. While major spending from AIPAC, cryptocurrency, and AI lobbyists shaped much of the race, the biggest influence came from Governor JB Pritzker.
According to The New York Times, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton’s victory in the race to succeed retiring Senator Dick Durbin highlights Pritzker’s political clout. The governor invested heavily in Stratton’s campaign and appeared at multiple events to show support. Stratton’s win is particularly notable because Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi outspent her by a wide margin. Stratton raised around $12 million through super PACs, while Krishnamoorthi amassed $20 million.
Despite the financial edge, Krishnamoorthi’s fundraising may have hurt him. His campaign received contributions from cryptocurrency lobbyists, AI companies, and some Trump supporters. Stratton criticized him during a January debate for accepting donations from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contractor.
ICE became another focal point of the campaign. Stratton campaigned on abolishing ICE, while Krishnamoorthi favored dismantling “Trump’s ICE.” Public sentiment has increasingly turned against ICE, especially in cities like Chicago, which experienced last year’s “Operation Midway Blitz” — a controversial enforcement operation that drew court orders, harassment complaints, and widespread public outrage.
If Stratton wins in November, she will become the sixth Black woman in U.S. history to serve in the Senate. Her election would also mark the first time three Black women serve in the Senate simultaneously, joining Senators Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware.
AIPAC’s role in Illinois’ primaries drew attention, especially amid global criticism of the organization and recent conflicts in Gaza. Many voters, like Rochelle Brockenborough, 64, said Stratton’s lack of AIPAC funding influenced their support. “I wanted to make sure there was no AIPAC money. That’s important to me,” she told AP News, emphasizing opposition to using U.S. tax dollars to support Israel.
AIPAC’s efforts had mixed results. They suffered a notable loss in Illinois’ Ninth District, where Daniel Biss defeated both Kat Abughazaleh and their endorsed candidate, Laura Fine. Attempts to siphon votes with a fourth candidate, Bushra Amiwala, also fell short. While AIPAC saw wins with Melissa Bean and Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, their losses outweighed the victories. Biss’s victory speech summed it up: “The Ninth District is not for sale.”
Progressive groups also faced mixed results. Of the four candidates endorsed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus, only Biss won, and Stratton, endorsed by Senator Elizabeth Warren, stood out as a major progressive victory.
Stratton’s win signals historic progress. She is poised to make Black history while championing her progressive priorities, marking a significant milestone for Illinois and the nation.
