Pritzker flexes political muscle in Illinois Senate primary as 2028 buzz builds
Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois is unopposed for his party's nomination as he seeks a third term steering the nation's sixth-most populous state.But the billionaire governor and potential 2028 White...
By Fox News · Fox News
Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois is unopposed for his party's nomination as he seeks a third term steering the nation's sixth-most populous state. But the billionaire governor and potential 2028 White House contender has plenty on the line as Illinois on Tuesday holds a slew of competitive primaries that are grabbing national attention. The contest at the top of the list is the race in the blue-leaning state to succeed 81-year-old Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin , who is retiring after nearly three decades in the Senate. HEAD HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS REPORTING FROM THE 2026 CAMPAIGN TRAIL Pritzker is backing Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who is facing off against two other major candidates, Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi, among a crowded field of contenders in the contentious and extremely expensive showdown. If Kelly or Stratton were to win the primary and then the general election in November, they would become the second Black woman elected to the Senate in Illinois. And Krishnamoorthi, who was born in India and immigrated to the U.S. with his family as a child, would make history as the nation's second Indian American in the Senate. ILLINOIS DEM SENATE CANDIDATES SPLIT ON BACKING SCHUMER AS LEADER Krishnamoorthi is the clear fundraising frontrunner in the race, and has spent big bucks to run ads. And a super PAC funded by crypto titans has shelled out nearly $10 million to back Krishnamoorthi. The governor, a member of the Pritzker family that owns the Hyatt hotel chain and who has launched several venture capital and investment startups, has dipped into his large war chest to dish out millions to fund a super PAC supporting Stratton. Pritzker's support for Stratton is drawing pushback. Rep. Yvette Clarke of New York, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, accused the governor of trying "to tip the scales" in the primary. "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,…