Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Dick Durbin, the retiring minority whip, AP projects.
Why it matters: Stratton leaned on support from Gov. JB Pritzker and other high-profile Democrats to overcome rival Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi's sizable fundraising advantage.
By the numbers: Democratic Senate candidates spent more than $50 million on political ads, with Krishnamoorthi spending roughly twice as much as any other candidate.
- Outside groups also poured money into the race. Super PACs backed by cryptocurrency interests spent nearly $10 million in attack ads against Stratton.
- Stratton, who had said she would not accept super PAC money, did receive millions from a political action committee funded by Pritzker.
Zoom in: Much of the campaign focused on opposition to President Trump and his administration, but the candidates turned increasingly negative toward each other in the final weeks.
- Stratton called for sweeping pushback, including abolishing ICE.
State of play: Besides Pritzker, Stratton received endorsements from Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and powerful Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
Yes, but: Stratton generated controversy after suggesting Rev. Jesse Jackson planned to endorse her before he died last month — a claim the Jackson family later disputed.
Of note: Durbin didn't endorse a candidate.
The bottom line: Stratton will advance to the November general election against former Illinois Republican Party chair Don Tracy in a race Democrats are heavily favored to win.
