When the Daily Egyptian previewed the Democratic primary for Dick Durbin’s open Senate seat back in late January, 8th District Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi had a 21-point lead on Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, and a 23-point lead over 2nd District Rep. Robin Kelly according to what was then the most recent poll.

As election day grew nearer, Stratton kept gaining ground in every poll, while Krishnamoorthi held steady and Kelly kept losing ground. It all culminated at 9:42 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 when the Associated Press officially called the race for Stratton over Krishnamoorthi, Kelly and the other seven prospective nominees.

“Tonight isn’t the outcome we wanted, but I am so proud of us, and I still believe in putting people over profits,” Kelly wrote in a concession statement on social media 15 minutes prior. “You want to know that your elected leaders are fighting for you, not distracted by outside noise.”

Krishnamoorthi conceded the race moments after AP had called it.

“I called Lieutenant Governor Stratton and congratulated her on winning this primary. I trust that she will continue the lasting legacy Senator Durbin leaves behind,” he wrote in a statement. “I will continue to fight for our country, the greatest on Earth, to make the United States of America the kind of country we all still believe in.”

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee congratulated Stratton on her victory as well, while taking a detour to take a jab at Kelly.

“AIPAC congratulates Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on her primary win over Rep. Robin Kelly, whose most recent actions have undermined the U.S.-Israel alliance,” the statement read. “We look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with Lt. Gov. Stratton as she advances to the general election.”

This statement comes despite the fact that Stratton was the only one of the three major candidates who came into the race without public pro-Israel lobby ties. AIPAC also had listed both Kelly and Krishnamoorthi as pro-Israel candidates on its website, with no mention of Stratton. 

However, dozens of AIPAC donors did donate to her campaign, and former AIPAC president Lee Rosenberg served on her financial committee, according to Al-Jazeera and The Intercept.

Stratton released a thank you message on social media after the victory.

“Thank you, Illinois. Tonight’s message is clear – we’re ready to take democracy back into our own hands,” it read.

Stratton will face off against former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy, who won the six-candidate Republican primary by more than 15 points.

The Daily Egyptian reached out to the candidates for comment. Krishnamoorthi pointed to his statement. The DE will update this story upon response from Stratton and Kelly. 

Staff Reporter Eli Hoover can be found at [email protected] or on Instagram @hoovermakesart

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