Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth is wading into the open primary to succeed longtime Sen. Dick Durbin, endorsing Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton to join her in representing Illinois in the Senate.

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton announced she will run for U.S. Senate next year on Thursday morning. If she wins the Democratic primary and the subsequent general election, Stratton would be the second Black woman elected to represent Illinois in the Senate.

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is making a move for higher office. On Thursday, she announced her bid for the U.S. Senate, just one day after longtime Senator Dick Durbin—who has held the seat for nearly three decades—revealed he won’t seek reelection in 2026.