Illinois Governor JB Pritzker endorsed Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton in the state's Democratic U.S. Senate primary, backing his endorsement with at least $5 million of his personal funds to a super PAC supporting her campaign. Stratton won the Democratic nomination on March 18, 2026, in the race to succeed retiring Senator Dick Durbin.

Illinois Future PAC, which received Pritzker's donation, spent $14.8 million on advertising in support of Stratton's Senate campaign. The governor also appeared in several television advertisements for Stratton and joined her at Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen in Chicago on Election Day for a final campaign push.

The primary contest featured Stratton competing against Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly. Krishnamoorthi outspent Stratton and aired television ads for a longer period during the campaign. Pritzker is widely mentioned as a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential election.

"A lot of people have suggested this was personal to me. They were right. It was," Pritzker said. The governor has repeatedly stated he was focused only on his duties as governor when asked about pursuing higher office.

Former Republican leader of the Illinois House Jim Durkin assessed the primary outcome's significance for Pritzker. "It was a big test for him last night. If he didn't succeed it would have been a speed bump onto his probable entry into the race for president. Now people won't question his staying power," Durkin said. He added, "There should be no question in anybody's mind that JB Pritzker is the undisputed powerhouse in Illinois."

Some members of the Congressional Black Caucus expressed frustration over Pritzker's involvement and financing of Stratton's candidacy. U.S. Representative Yvette Clarke said, "Quite frankly, [Pritzker's] behavior in this race won't soon be forgotten by any of us."

Stratton, who served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives for two years before becoming Lieutenant Governor in 2018, supports a $25-per-hour federal minimum wage and abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Representative Robin Kelly, one of Stratton's primary opponents, congratulated Stratton on her victory via a post on X and in a text message, wishing her luck in the November general election.