Illinois Senate Race: Durbin's Successor Chosen Amid Cost and Court Debates
Juliana Stratton and Don Tracy fight for the seat vacated by retiring Senator Dick Durbin, with voters deciding between regulatory and market-driven approaches to high prices.
By Luka Evans ·
Retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin leaves behind one of the most contested seats in the 2026 midterm elections. The Illinois race pits Democratic Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton against former Illinois Republican Party chair Don Tracy. Both candidates agree that affordability is the primary concern for voters, though they disagree sharply on the causes and solutions.
Stratton, who has served as lieutenant governor since 2019, won the Democratic nomination with the support of Gov. JB Pritzker. Tracy, an attorney who led the state GOP from 2021 to 2024, secured the Republican nomination. The outcome will determine whether Democrats maintain their grip on the Senate as the party faces a national battle for control.
The candidates have engaged in a fierce social media exchange this week. Stratton criticized U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens for endorsing Mike Rogers in Michigan's Senate race. She called the move "a complete betrayal of Michigan, of voters, and of everything Congresswoman Stevens claims to stand for." Stratton argued that Stevens' alignment with Rogers contradicts her stated support for Black communities, women, immigrants, and workers' rights.
Tracy responded by accusing Stratton of declaring war on mainstream Americans. He stated that Illinois has never had a senator as extreme as Stratton. Tracy warned that Stratton opposes both Republicans and traditional Democrats, adding that families will pay the price if she wins.
On the issue of high costs, Stratton cited rising prices for gas, health care, utilities, and groceries. Her platform includes tighter regulations on specific industries, higher wages, and expanded access to affordable health care. She has also criticized President Donald Trump's Medicaid cuts and his administration's handling of the conflict in Iran.
Tracy attributed high prices to Illinois being a high-cost state and lingering inflation from the four years of President Joe Biden's administration. He opposes expanding the Supreme Court or imposing term limits on justices. Tracy said the current system works well except for its political nature. Stratton disagrees, arguing that all options should be considered regarding court structure.
The candidates also diverge on immigration enforcement. Stratton supports abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, arguing the federal government must rethink how immigration laws are enforced. She described the agency as a priority because it continues to terrorize communities. Tracy dismissed the idea, equating the abolition of ICE with an open borders policy. He stated that abolishing the agency means abolishing interior immigration law enforcement.
