Candidate Supported by JB Pritzker Who Ran ‘F*ck Trump’ Ad Wins Democratic Senate Primary

Illinois Governor’s Senate Nominee Secures Party Backing

Governor JB Pritzker’s nominee for the U.S. Senate made a significant move in Illinois politics, gaining the Democratic Party’s nomination on Tuesday night.

Pritzker endorsed his lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, 60, who took office in April 2025. Her campaign benefited from Pritzker’s considerable political clout. As the votes rolled in, with about 85% counted, Stratton garnered 39.7% of the total vote, outpacing her nearest competitor, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who received 33.4%. This information was confirmed by the Associated Press.

Pritzker, aiming for a third term and facing no primary challengers, is often viewed as a potential contender for the presidency in 2028.

If successful, Stratton could become Illinois’s second Black female senator, following the trailblazer Carol Moseley Braun, who was elected in 1992. It’s worth noting that no Republican has won a statewide race in Illinois for more than a decade.

Stratton’s campaign launched with an advertisement featuring supporters asking Donald Trump to vote for her. “They said it, not me,” Pritzker quips in the ad, accompanied by upbeat music.

Like many Democrats, Stratton has called for the abolition of ICE during her campaign. She capitalized on Pritzker’s financial backing, which surged the political landscape with substantial PAC spending, including from cryptocurrency interests. Pritzker injected at least $5 million of his wealth into her campaign shortly after the announcement of Senator Dick Durbin’s retirement.

Stratton also received support from prominent Democrats, including Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth, who rallied with her recently.

However, not all has gone smoothly; Stratton faced backlash for incorrectly claiming an endorsement from the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, whose family quickly denied the assertion.

Meanwhile, third candidate Rep. Robin Kelly obtained only 18.3% of the votes but had substantial backing from the Congressional Black Caucus, which criticized Pritzker’s heavy-handed approach in the nomination process. “A sitting governor shouldn’t be so heavy-handed in his campaign. His actions in this race won’t be forgotten,” remarked Rep. Yvette Clarke from New York.

Pritzker defended his involvement, stating, “I just want the best people.” When pressed, he added, “She happens to be a Black woman. I’ve shown my support for communities of color and for candidates across the state.”