Illinois' open US Senate race tests Gov. JB Pritzker's influence ahead of possible presidential bid
ABC News
A rare opening for Illinois to elect a new U.S. senator has sparked sparked a political brawl among the top three candidates in the Democratic state
CHICAGO -- A rare opening for Illinois to elect a new U.S. senator has sparked a political brawl among the top three candidates in the Democratic state.
Yet the Democratic primary to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has also become a political test for another candidate on Tuesday’s ballot: Gov. JB Pritzker.
The billionaire is backing Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton over two established U.S. House members — Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly. Pritzker has put millions into Stratton's election, campaigned alongside her at senior centers and even appeared in an expletive-filled TV ad aimed at Trump. But Pritzker’s looming presence has created new wrinkles with criticism from prominent Black Democrats, questions about the possible 2028 presidential contender’s influence and voter discomfort about how he uses his wealth.
“Money should not have to be a factor into tipping the scales in the political arena,” said Maria Pike, a Chicago anti-violence activist. Even as an ardent Pritzker supporter, she’s uneasy with the millions the governor, who's running unopposed in his own primary, has funneled into electing Stratton. She’s voting for Kelly.
Sixteen candidates have jumped in since Durbin, the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat, announced his retirement after 30 years as senator.
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