Juliana Stratton defeats Don Tracy in Illinois, joining historic Senate vanguard

Juliana Stratton will become the sixth Black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate and joins Sens. Angela Alsobrooks and Lisa Blunt Rochester.

Over 30 years after Carol Moseley Braun made history as both the nation’s and Illinois’s first-ever Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate, the state has made history again. Juliana Stratton just became the second Black woman elected to represent Illinois in the U.S. Senate. 

On Tuesday, Nov. 3, the Illinois lieutenant governor defeated Republican Don Tracy in the state’s closely watched Senate race, securing 70.65% of the vote to his 28.08%, per AP News.

“Tonight, Illinoisans sent a resounding message,” Juliana for Illinois Spokesperson Allison Janowski began in a statement.

“Juliana Stratton is the fighter Illinois needs in the United States Senate,” she continued. “Illinoisans deserve bold leadership that will stand up to Donald Trump and put people over special interests, and that’s exactly who she has proved herself to be.”

Janowski added, “Juliana is grateful to every voter who made their voice heard in this election, and she is ready to get to work in Washington on Day One to lower costs, protect our rights, and deliver for working families.”

“Congratulations to Senator-Elect Stratton on her resounding victory and her history-making campaign to represent Illinois in the U.S. Senate, and we look forward to partnering with her to take on Trump’s corruption and cost-raising policies so we can make life more affordable for Illinoisans,” the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said in a statement moments after her win.

“As Illinois’ Lieutenant Governor, Juliana fought for working families from Chicago to downstate, and voters across Illinois trust her to carry that fight to Washington,” the statement continued. “In the Senate, Juliana will go to bat for working families, work to lower costs, and protect the fundamental freedoms Illinoisans believe in.”

Stratton, 61, who has served as lieutenant governor under Gov. JB Pritzker since 2019, will be succeeding retiring Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin. With her victory, she becomes the sixth Black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate, joining Sens. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware; this will be the first time three Black women serve in the U.S. Senate at the same time. 

Fully backed by Pritzker, she won after running an unapologetically progressive campaign that advocated for a $25 federal minimum wage, Medicare for All, the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and stronger protections for reproductive and voting rights. She also took direct aim at President Donald Trump, including a now-viral provocative ad that featured supporters declaring, “F— Trump, vote Julianna.” 

The Senator-Elect won the March 17 Democratic primary after she defeated 10 opponents, including U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi. 

“Every day, I am in awe of the bravery I see in people who know that now is the time to fight. To choose courage over comfort,” Stratton said in a campaign video.