19-07-2025
Illinois House Speaker endorses Lt. Gov. Stratton for Durbin's senate seat
COOK COUNTY, Ill. (WGN) — Illinois House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch on Monday gave his endorsement to Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton in her bid for US Senate, highlighting what he said is her compassion and commitment to public service.
Stratton in April announced her campaign to take over Sen. Dick Durbin's seat, one day after he announced his retirement at the end of his term ending in January 2027.
'I know Juliana Stratton is the fighter we need in Washington because I've seen her be the fighter we need in Springfield,' Welch said.
Welch was joined in his endorsement by the Democratic Party of Proviso Executive Committee, representing all 14 communities of Proviso Township.
Stratton has already received the endorsement of Gov. JB Pritzker, Sen. Tammy Duckworth and former senator and ambassador Carol Moseley Braun, but for the first time in several years is building her own fundraising infrastructure and courting local political heavyweights.
'As families across our state watch the chaos coming out of the Trump administration with fear and uncertainty, I want every single Illinoisan to know we've got your back,' she said.
Democratic Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, representing the state's 8th and 2nd Congressional districts, respectively, have also launched campaigns for Durbin's seat.
'It's hard to ignore Raja Krishnamoorthi, currently serving as a congressman, who has raised more money than anybody's got in the bank right now. Ordinarily you'd look and say, 'There you go,' but Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, who is in this race, she has the unseen money right now, which is the backing of a governor who could write a check for more money than Raja Krishnamoorthi could ever dream of having,' WGN political analyst Paul Lisnek said.
In the months ahead, the campaigns will fan out across the state. While they may have name recognition in their own districts, Lisnek said, they now have the challenge of introducing themselves statewide.
The endorsement comes during another important week on the campaign trail. The Cook County Democratic Party hosts its slating meeting Thursday and Friday.
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