Stratton Wins U.S. Senate Race: AP

Lt. Gov. Julian Stratton, a Democrat, claimed victory over Republican ex-GOP chairman Don Tracy and American Center Party candidate Whitfield Harrington Jr., according to the Associated Press.

The polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

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Unofficial vote totals:

Stratton reacted to the win on social media, posting a statement set to the O'Jays song "Give the People What They Want" — a nod to the pledge she made throughout her campaign.

The South Side native wrote, "A year and a half ago I stood before you and promised that if you sent me to the United States Senate, I would fight tooth and nail for you. I promised that I would bring a bold new vision to Washington and not give Donald Trump an inch. Well, you held up your end of the bargain, and now I'm ready to hold up mine. I am incredibly proud to stand before you today as the next U.S. Senator from the great state of Illinois. This moment is about more than any one of us. It's a mandate for change, for bold new leadership, and to put our country back on the path towards progress and prosperity. You've entrusted me with a monumental responsibility, and I don't take it lightly. But I'm ready. Let's get to work."

Stratton previously served as a state representative from 2017 to 2019 before becoming lieutenant governor.

Due to Stratton's decision to run for U.S. Senate, Gov. JB Pritzker chose former deputy governor and state Rep. Christian Mitchell as his running mate.

Stratton had pledged to be "focused on policies that will uplift Illinois' working and middle-class families: making life more affordable, creating and expanding economic opportunities, and protecting our rights and freedoms."

Tracy resigned from his role as chairman of the Illinois Republican Party in 2024, just weeks before the Republican National Convention, citing "power struggles" within the party. Born in Urbana and raised in Mount Sterling, Tracy also previously ran for lieutenant governor in 2010 and sought a state Senate seat as a Democrat in 2002, NPR reported.

Tracy had vowed to "defend the American dream," saying on Tuesday, "we could have a chance.... with DIFFERENT leadership. Come on Illinois, start a movement today and end the suffering!"

He is currently senior counsel with Brown, Hay & Stephens, which touts itself as the oldest law firm in Illinois, boasting that "many of Illinois' finest attorneys practiced here including a young Abraham Lincoln."

Illinois has not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 2010—a trend that continued on Tuesday night.

ALSO READ:

• In Bid To Replace U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Juliana Stratton And Don Tracy Have Very Different Visions For The Future
• 12 Illinois Counties To Vote On Exploring Split From Cook County

Election results are unofficial until certified by election authorities.