Senate race · 2026

Illinois Senate Race

Longtime U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is retiring, creating an open seat in Illinois. This has led to competitive primary races for both the Democratic and Republican parties.

All 2026 races

2 candidates · what each one campaigns on

Juliana Stratton

Democratic

Currently: Lieutenant Governor of Illinois

Juliana Stratton has served as the lieutenant governor of Illinois since 2019, after one term in the Illinois House.

Campaign platform

Abolish ICE
Stratton takes a simple 'abolish ICE' stance, differing from other candidates who propose reforms or dismantling.
ImmigrationSource
Universal Healthcare
Her priorities include allowing Medicare coverage for all.
HealthSource
Increase Minimum Wage
Stratton advocates for increasing the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour.
EconomySource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

Don Tracy

Republican

Don Tracy is the former Illinois Republican Chairman.

Campaign platform

Lower the cost of living
Focuses on reducing taxes, energy costs and health care costs for families.
EconomySource
Border security and rule of law
Supports enforcing immigration law and opposes benefits for people here illegally.
ImmigrationSource
Support law enforcement
Backs police funding and accountability for violent crime.
Justice & Public SafetySource
Relief for farmers and small business
Wants to reduce the regulatory burden on manufacturers and farmers.
Agriculture & RuralSource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

Platform items are drawn from candidates’ own campaign materials and public reporting, summarised neutrally. They are what a candidate says they will do — not a judgement about whether they will do it. Once a candidate is serving in Congress, their record moves to the The Informed Ballot profiles.