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While Durbin hesitates, Stratton prepares for a possible fight for the Senate seat

Illinois politicians are actively considering the possibility of Senator Dick Durbin stepping down in 2026. Currently, the strongest contender is Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton.

According to three sources familiar with Stratton's plans, she is quietly preparing her candidacy for the Senate, reaching out to key Democrats for support. One source spoke directly with her, while the other two communicated with her team.

Three individuals claim that she already has the support of Governor JB Pritzker. The three mentioned have requested anonymity to discuss private conversations, and one remained unnamed while sharing details about confidential negotiations.

The lieutenant governor's press secretary, granted anonymity for discussing confidential negotiations, said: 'Juliana continues to explore future opportunities and if she decides to run for higher office, she will take pride in having the governor's support while working to build a broad public coalition.'

Governor Pritzker is a prominent Democrat and a potential candidate in 2028. He is already a major donor and organizer for the Democratic Party, and his significant personal financial resources could substantially aid any candidate. His money and support could turn internal party battles, with several state legislators involved, into mere shadows.

His team declined to discuss support or funding for potential party elections. 'We won’t delve into speculation about a seat that is not yet open,' said one close associate of the governor’s political operation who requested anonymity for free conversation.

The governor chose Stratton, who was then a state representative, for the role of his deputy in 2017. He was a featured guest at her new federal PAC's fundraising event last month.

Pritzker, a scion of the Hyatt hotel empire, may support this PAC and also donate millions to other super PACs that support her campaign. Such financial backing could make Stratton a frontrunner in the party primaries that effectively guarantee a Senate seat in a strongly Democratic state.

If a candidate with Pritzker's support wins the election, it could help establish him as a powerful Democratic intermediary, with influence that may extend beyond political circles in Illinois as 2028 approaches.

Durbin has been serving as a senator since 1997, and while many Democrats expect the 80-year-old politician to retire, his close associates argue he has not yet made a decision.

In a brief interview on Wednesday, Durbin stated that the lieutenant governor is among the Democrats preparing for his possible exit, but he himself has not yet decided about running: 'She said if I go, she won't.'

Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has been stockpiling money for his potential run for the Senate for years. By the end of 2024, he had amassed $17.1 million. His Congressional colleagues, Lauren Underwood, who secured her seat in 2018, and Robin Kelly, the former chair of the Illinois Democratic Party, are also eyeing the position.

And Illinois Democrats can't help but wonder what is happening with Rahm Emanuel, the former mayor of Chicago, who just returned after serving as ambassador to Japan. He is currently working as a commentator for CNN.