Juliana Stratton Reported Winner of Illinois Senate Race
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, a Democrat, was reported to have won the Senate seat that Sen. Dick Durbin is vacating through retirement.
The Hill reported that Democrat Juliana Stratton, the lieutenant governor of Illinois, is projected to win the state's Senate race, according to Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ). In its report on the race, the outlet said Stratton was generally expected to win what it called a "safe Democratic seat." The seat is open because longtime Sen. Dick Durbin (D) is retiring, The Hill reported. The Hill's report is credited to Helen Huiskes.
PBS NewsHour, in a story credited to The Associated Press, reported that Stratton won election Tuesday to the U.S. Senate representing Illinois, defeating Republican Don Tracy. PBS NewsHour said Stratton, currently lieutenant governor, will succeed Durbin, a Democrat who is retiring after five terms.
The two accounts differ in how firmly they state the result. The Hill described Stratton as projected to win, while PBS NewsHour reported she had already won election. Neither summary describes the margin of victory.
PBS NewsHour also reported that Stratton will be the "second Black woman to serve Illinois in the Senate." The Hill's summary also refers to a count of Black women elected to the Senate, but the summary breaks off before giving the figure, so the count cannot be confirmed from it.
Only PBS NewsHour names Stratton's opponent, Republican Don Tracy, in the summaries available for this report, while The Hill's summary does not name an opponent. Both outlets identify Stratton as the sitting lieutenant governor of Illinois. The PBS NewsHour story is credited to The Associated Press.
Sources: The Hill: Juliana Stratton wins Senate seat in Illinois; PBS NewsHour: Juliana Stratton makes history with Black women in the Senate.