Stratton, Tracy Battle for Durbin's Senate Seat in Cook County

Juliana Stratton and Don Tracy are competing for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Dick Durbin. The Democratic lieutenant governor and the former Illinois Republican Party chair will face off in the 2026 midterm election to replace Durbin, who plans to retire in January 2026. This contest has become a central focus for national parties seeking control of the Senate.

Stratton has served as Illinois lieutenant governor since 2019 and secured the Democratic nomination with the support of Governor JB Pritzker. Tracy, an attorney, led the state Republican Party from 2021 to 2024 before winning the GOP nomination. Both candidates have identified affordability as the primary concern for voters in this race, though they propose different solutions.

The candidates have engaged in a public exchange over the past week. On Sunday, Stratton posted on X criticizing Representative Haley Stevens for endorsing Mike Rogers in Michigan. She described the move as a betrayal of voters and stated that Stevens had shown her true colors. Stratton argued that Stevens could not stand with Rogers, whom she called a Trump acolyte.

Tracy responded to Stratton's comments on social media. He said Stratton had declared war on mainstream Americans. Tracy added that Illinois has never had a senator so extreme, claiming that Stratton opposes both Republicans and traditional Democrats. He warned that if Stratton wins, families will pay the price.

The candidates disagree on the causes of high prices. Stratton pointed to the cost of gas, health care, utilities, and groceries. She supports tighter regulations on specific industries, higher wages, and expanded access to affordable health care. She has also criticized President Donald Trump’s policies, including Medicaid cuts and the administration's handling of the conflict in Iran. Tracy blames Democrats in Illinois and the Biden administration. He stated that people are hurting because Illinois is a high-cost state with lingering inflation from the previous four years.

Their positions diverge on the Supreme Court and immigration. Tracy opposes expanding the court or imposing term limits on justices. He believes the system works well, though he noted it is already too political. Stratton disagrees, saying all options should be considered. On immigration, Stratton supports abolishing ICE. She called it a priority because she believes the agency terrorizes communities. Tracy views abolishing ICE as an open borders policy. He stated that doing so would mean abolishing interior immigration law enforcement.