Illinois’ Senate Primary Could Be a Test for JB Pritzker’s 2028 Bid

While Tuesday’s primary is likely to decide who will fill a rare vacant Senate seat in blue Illinois, it will also serve as a crucial test for another Democrat: Gov.JB Pritzker.

Pritzker’s lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, is running against Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, among others, to fill the seat that Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin has occupied for 29 years.

Though Krishnamoorthi remains the front-runner, the popular governor endorsed Stratton early and has poured millions of dollars into her campaign. He’s also appeared at events and in advertisements for her. Pritzker is widely expected to launch a bid for president in 2028, and this 2026 contest could serve as an early test of the billionaire’s influence and spending power.

Democratic consultant Hyma Moore, who is not affiliated with any of the campaigns, told NOTUS that Pritzker’s investment in Stratton began because the pair are partners and friends. But Moore said Stratton’s victory could benefit the governor with higher ambitions.

“He gets to have direct access to another senator in D.C.,” Moore said. “He gets to have a close friend who happens to be one of three Black women in the Senate who, if she does win, becomes a huge voice of the Democratic Party almost immediately because of her profile.”

Pritzker has been central in Stratton’s campaign, contributing $5 million to a PAC supporting her candidacy and raising her name ID in Washington. Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who is up for reelection in 2028, endorsed Stratton just after Pritzker and also contributed to her campaign.

“If Pritzker has put his time, energy, effort and finances into a race, that portrays to people like Duckworth and [Sen. Angela] Alsobrooks and others that it’s worth taking a chance,” Moore said. “It solidifies what they were already thinking: ‘OK, great, if we have Pritzker here, we can put together a coalition that gives her a fighting chance.’”

Pritzker’s early endorsement did ruffle some feathers in Washington, though. Rep. Yvette Clarke, the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said in a statement on March 4 that Pritzker’s involvement was an overreach. The caucus has endorsed Kelly, who is a member.

“Governor Pritzker’s effort to tip the scales in Illinois’ U.S. Senate race is beyond frustrating for the Congressional Black Caucus,” Clarke wrote. “A sitting governor shouldn’t be heavy-handing the race. Quite frankly, his behavior in this race won’t soon be forgotten by any of us.”

But senators in the caucus, including Alsobrooks, told NOTUS that they don’t share Clarke’s concerns.

“I have endorsed Juliana Stratton as well,” Alsobrooks said. “I think she’ll make an amazing senator. I’ve met with her, and I think she’s an incredible candidate, and I hope she wins. I think she’d be good for the state and good for our country.”

Sen. Raphael Warnock, another member of the CBC, didn’t agree with Clarke’s assessment of Pritzker’s endorsement.

“If there’s a primary going on, I’m happy to see that play out,” Warnock said.

Some strategists think a win for Stratton could help Pritzker boost his profile across the country with Black voters. Moore said that helping elevate a Black woman to win the primary is sure to draw attention to Pritzker on a national scale.

“It’s no secret that Black women are the backbone of the Democratic Party,” Moore said. “If you are part of their ascendant leadership and a part of helping them to get there, then that’s a big win for you, particularly if you’re a white male. And particularly one that wants to be president.”

Pritzker’s donations have also served as Stratton’s main counterweight to Krishnamoorthi’s massive war chest –– FEC filings show Krishnamoorthi raised $30.4 million for his Senate campaign since last year, with $6 million cash on hand at the end of February. Stratton has raised $4 million over the past year, with $1.2 million cash on hand at the end of February.

If Pritzker’s contributions carry Stratton to victory, some Democrats think it could further cement his role as a crucial contributor to progressive causes. Many are particularly concerned about growing spending by groups aligned with the cryptocurrency industry in Democratic primaries.

Illinois has been the biggest battleground so far for crypto-aligned PACs, which have spent more than $10 million on attack ads against Stratton. Krishnamoorthi has received $25,300 from companies and executives associated with the crypto industry during the primary, the Guardian previously reported.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, told reporters on Wednesday that progressive candidates need to find a good way to combat spending by the crypto industry.

“Clearly they think the only way they’re going to get the legislation there is to buy the candidates,” Warren said. “ This kind of money is taking over our democracy, and the idea that the people here in Washington represent their constituents is becoming a thinner and thinner story.”

Durbin said he’s particularly concerned about the influence of the industry in the race to replace him. He has declined to endorse a candidate in the race, but told reporters that he believes cryptocurrency is “not sufficiently regulated” and is “a threat to economic stability in the future.”

Durbin added: “This is an industry which I’m very worried about in terms of what they’re doing to mislead the American people … I hope that whoever replaces me will take an honest look at them.”

Duckworth said she hopes Pritzker’s spending will make the difference in combating the lobby in Illinois.

“I also maxed out to her and put in another extra $100,000 because we believe strongly that she’s the best person to occupy the seat,” Duckworth said of Stratton. “She’s shown that she will do the work. And frankly, again, I am deeply worried about crypto’s role in this.”

In a statement to NOTUS, Allison Janowski, a spokesperson for Stratton, said that the campaign is grateful for Pritzker’s contributions.

“Juliana is proud to be supported by Governor JB Pritzker, and even prouder of the work they’ve done to uplift working families across Illinois,” the statement said. “[Krishnamoorthi] is still hoping a MAGA-backed crypto PAC will bail out his campaign in the final stretch.”

Alex Gough, a spokesperson for Pritzker’s campaign, told NOTUS in a statement that the governor is proud to support Stratton’s candidacy.

“While the other candidates in this race are being bankrolled by out-of-state MAGA billionaires, Juliana Stratton is the only candidate standing up to the special interests trying to buy this race.”

Ultimately, Moore noted, Krishnamoorthi is still ahead in the polls. He has a record amount of cash on hand for Illinois and has been running television ads for months. Still, he said the race is far closer than strategists thought it would be — in no small part due to Pritzker.

“The thing Pritzker has been able to do is keep her competitive and keep her in the race and give her a chance to go and raise her own money,” Moore said. “If she did not have that support of Pritzker, I don’t think she would have been able to even establish her own platform to build upon.”