Illinois makes history as Juliana Stratton’s win puts two women of color in the U.S. Senate

Stratton’s victory over Republican Don Tracy will make Illinois the first state represented by two women of color in the Senate simultaneously.

Illinois is set to make history after Democrat Juliana Stratton defeated Republican Don Tracy in the race to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin. The win paved the way for the state to have two women of color serving in the U.S. Senate at the same time.

As reported by ABC7 Chicago, Stratton will become the sixth Black woman elected to the Senate and the second from Illinois. She will serve alongside Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who described the result as another milestone in the state’s political history. “It says a lot about Illinois that the state that sent Carol Moseley Braun, the first Black woman elected to the United States Senate, is now sending two women of color to the Senate,” Duckworth said. Duckworth is the first Thai-American woman elected to Congress.

Moseley Braun made history in 1992 when she became the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate. More than three decades later, Illinois is adding another chapter to that legacy with Stratton’s election. Following her victory, Stratton identified affordable health care, reproductive freedom, workers’ rights, voting rights and support for working families among her priorities.

“I’m going to fight loudly for affordable healthcare, for reproductive freedom, for workers’ rights, for voting rights, and for the families who are doing everything right and still struggling to get ahead,” Stratton said. Duckworth also pledged to support her incoming colleague, saying the two have worked together for years, particularly on maternal health issues. She encouraged Stratton to “hit the ground running” as she prepares to take office.

Stratton’s win comes as Democrats celebrate gaining control of both chambers of Congress following a sweeping midterm election victory. The party flipped Republican-held seats in several states, including Texas, Iowa, South Carolina and Kansas. The election results now shift the focus from campaigning to governing. ABC7 political analyst Laura Washington said the party will face pressure to turn its campaign commitments into action, particularly on the cost of living.

“The Democrats are taking power now, and with power comes accountability. They’re gonna need to be able to deliver,” Washington said. Duckworth said Democrats already have legislation prepared to advance now that they control Congress, arguing that some proposals had previously been blocked from receiving votes under Republican leadership.