Blue-state Democrat on fast track to Senate defies Schumer
Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is on a glide path to the U.S. Senate.But Stratton, who captured the Democratic Senate nomination in blue-leaning Illinois by winning Tuesday's primary, has made...
By Fox News · Fox News
Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is on a glide path to the U.S. Senate . But Stratton, who captured the Democratic Senate nomination in blue-leaning Illinois by winning Tuesday's primary, has made it clear that if she makes it to Capitol Hill, she won't be supporting Sen. Chuck Schumer , the Democrats' longtime leader in the chamber. And Stratton — who if victorious in November would become only the fifth Black woman in the nation's history to win election to the Senate — is part of a sizable list of Democratic Senate candidates who are highlighting their opposition to Schumer continuing as the leader of their party in the chamber. PRITZKER SCORES BIG: STRATTON VICTORY IN DEMOCRATIC SENATE PRIMARY TEST OF GOVERNOR'S CLOUT Stratton topped Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, her two leading rivals among a crowded field of contenders, in a contentious and extremely expensive Democratic Senate primary. Stratton was boosted by the support and deep pockets of her boss, billionaire Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, who was unopposed as he landed re-nomination for a third term as governor. HEAD HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS COVERAGE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL Schumer, along with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chair, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, congratulated Stratton immediately after her victory was called. "Juliana’s commitment to standing up for working families runs deep — and now, she’s taking that fight to the U.S. Senate. We are proud to congratulate Juliana on her history-making campaign, and we are excited to welcome her as the next U.S. Senator from Illinois in November," Schumer and Gillibrand wrote in a statement. But Stratton, during her primary campaign, made her stance on Schumer crystal clear. "I’m the only person on this stage that has said so," Stratton said during a recent debate, as she highlighted that she would not back Schumer as Democratic leader. "I’m the only candidate in this race that has made it clear I’m not going to support Chuck Schu…