The Democratic contest for an Illinois Senate seat is shaping up as a test of the political power of Gov. JB Pritzker over a primary field of candidates who enter the race with deep animosity for one another and skepticism about the governor’s influence.
Few policy differences exist among the three declared candidates and others who might enter the race in the coming weeks. Instead, Illinois Democrats are prepared for a contest animated by personal and political grudges stemming from the Statehouse, the halls of Congress and the governor’s mansion.
The race formally began late last month, when Senator Richard J. Durbin announced that he would not seek a sixth term. But the Democrats now vying for his seat have been prepping their campaigns for years.
Mr. Pritzker’s choice, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, created a super PAC in January. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi has amassed a $19 million war chest — far more than he would ever need in his safe district that covers Chicago’s western suburbs. And Representative Robin Kelly of Chicago has won endorsements from 18 members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
The biggest question hanging over the Democratic primary concerns money — how much Mr. Pritzker intends to spend to back Ms. Stratton, who, like most lieutenant governors, has little profile of her own.
Electing Ms. Stratton could be a boon for Mr. Pritzker as he positions himself ahead of the 2028 presidential contest, in which she could serve as a valuable campaign surrogate. The governor, a billionaire, is no stranger to cutting enormous checks. In 2022, he spent more than $35 million just to influence the Republican primary in his re-election campaign.
