>> Hello and thanks for joining us on a special election night edition of Chicago.

Tonight.

I am Brandis Friedman.

>> For months, the big question in Illinois politics has been who is going to be the Democrat running to replace U.S.

Senator Durbin, the Associated Press with in the last hour, has just called that race with Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, defeating Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and Congresswoman Robin Kelly along with several other candidates.

That is with 85% of the votes counted.

So now we're going to head out to our reporter, Heather Sharon as she joins us live from Juliana Stratton Election Night headquarters on the near West Side.

Heather.

>> lot of excitement over there.

I imagine.

>> This is a room very happy people.

Juliana Stratton who wish serve 2 terms Lieutenant Governor under Governor JB Pritzker About to take the stage to declare victory.

Us wraps.

Russian oppression of Morsi and Robin Kelly have both conceded to her.

This room has been excited all night.

She lived with a slight lead from almost the very beginning as both started coming which meant victory night gathering with a party from the very beginning with House music pumping people doing the later, a cha cha slide and people looking forward to it.

New era of Illinois politics.

Is set to face Todd Tracy, winner of the Republican primary.

However, in this blue state, this victory means Stratton has the inside lane to a seat in the United States Senate becoming one of only a handful of black women to serve in the highest legislative body in the nation.

>> And Heather, we're almost out of Chicago Party without a little cha cha percolate will be listening out, of course, for when going on a strand takes the stage there.

Thank you.

>> And now to our Nic Blumberg who joins us from a downbeat Raja Krishnamoorthi headquarters in river north.

Nick, different atmosphere over there.

I imagine.

>> You could say so Heather's in a room full of very happy people.

I'm in a room of very full people.

Obviously a lot of said Faces tonight just after 9.30, congressmen Krishnamurthy took the stage to say that he called Julianna Stratton to concede and offer his full support.

He said unlike President Trump, he would not question the outcome.

He also hit on one of his campaign's major themes, the opportunities that the United States has afforded him as an immigrant from India.

Let's take a listen to a bit of a speech.

>> Finally, I want to thank this country.

The greatest country on Earth for giving an immigrant kid and his family.

The chance to live the American dream.

Only in this country.

Could my story happened only in this country could a kid like me serve in the halls of Congress.

And now we must come together as Democrats and as Americans to make sure that we return to the principles that made us a beacon of freedom and opportunity for the world.

We some of those themes when Krishnamoorthi stop for the traditional Manny's deli lunch today.

>> Highlighting he would have been just a second Indian American to serve in the Senate after, of course, former Senator and Vice President Kamala Harris.

He also in his concession speech, thanked his donors for helping him compete with what he described as very wealthy interests.

Of course, Krishnamurthy himself had a very large campaign war chest coming into this from his House campaign fund.

Very strong fundraising numbers.

Also some 9 million dollars in support from an outside fund outlet.

And that's, of course, just among the 10's of billions of dollars in outside spending we've seen in Illinois elections during this primary season on an array of races.

Now, Chris North, he was up early with at T had a lot of rain, name recognition early on in the race took a lead in early polls.

But, you know, there were a lot of undecideds.

Clearly, Julianna Stratton able to make up some of the difference.

Now, at last check of the unofficial results, Krishnamoorthi was leading in several suburban Chicago counties, lake McHenry Kane, DuPage.

But of course, the big prize in the Chicago area is Cook County with its millions of votes, where with nearly 90% of precincts reporting at last check, Stratton had something like a 10 point lead.

Clearly a bit much for Krishnamurthy to overcome in this race.

Prentice.

>> All right, Nic Bloomberg downtown for us.

Thank you.

And you can read next full story and all of our election team coverage on our website.

It is all at W T Tw dot com slash news.

>> Chicago tonight is made possible in part why the Alexandra and John Nichols family.

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> Watts of changes in store for the Illinois congressional delegation.

Nominees have emerged for the U.S.

Senate.

We're actually on standby now to hear from Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, but also Illinois's second, 7th 8007th 9th congressional districts all in play.

Here to break down tonight's results and trends are Wayne State or a political science professor at DePaul University and Connie Mixon, a political science professor at Elmhurst University.

And again, to our viewers, we might away from this conversation shortly if the candidate takes the stage.

So a county representative Krishnamoorthi has conceded as we reported to Julianna Stratton in the race to replace outgoing Senator Durbin winning most of the vote in Chicago and Cook County.

As we just heard from Nic.

What's her when signal about what Democratic voters are thinking actually before you answer that, we're going to go back downtown to hear Governor Lieutenant Governor Stratton right now.

>> My name is Kathy Strata and I am honored to be here tonight.

>> Ok, so we have we think someone is setting her up to take the stage right now.

Actually, we're hearing from Kasey who I think it's probably making the introduction for on-time Governor Stratton.

So as we're as we're looking at to come back to you with that question, what is the signal about what Democratic voters are thinking?

Well, I certainly they went towards the more progressive candidate as opposed I think the gap >> is somewhat surprising.

I expected this to be a closer race, whereas on Stratton is coming in with somewhere around 40% of the vote were rash, only has around.

33% of the vote.

One would have expected that to be closer, particularly because Russia was on the air with millions of dollars July.

I remember doing interviews at that point about the fact that this was so early for somebody to be on the air and without an incumbent in a race, we tend to look at money as a proxy for making predictions about who might win.

Roger Rees somewhere between 25 to 30 million dollars.

Plus outside funding that was coming in and spending on behalf of him restraint and only had raised 2 to 4 million herself, although JB Pritzker kicked in at least 5 Million.

And there was some outside spending.

But she was certainly outspent by Russia for sure.

And we see she's waving to the crowd.

Now they're in river north where her watch party is being held.

>> it's not written or think it's awareness things.

West Wayne, what it what does this say to you before before she starts talking in the mobile kind of way?

>> Okay.

I would say in regard.

Well, and there she is.

Thank you.

>> Well, first of all.

>> I have to start by giving honor to God.

Second of I asked.

Stratton, I'm so proud to serve as your Lieutenant Governor.

And I am humbled and honored to stand before you tonight as your Democratic nominee.

Did it.

I we showed was possible.

When you listen to the people and give the people what they want.

>> I could not have done this without each and every one of you.

>> Now, let me start by saying thank you to my amazing husband, Brian.

Incredible daughters.

Cassidy Ryan and Mackenzie.

I cannot thank you enough for how you have shown up for me and kept me grounded throughout this entire journey.

Of the hardest moments, both on the campaign trail.

And as we navigated profound grief and loss as a family, your love support and faith has been my guiding light.

>> Amazing friends and village.

Levity when things felt heavy built my cup win.

I felt depleted triumph with me when momentum broke our way and answered the call every time your support means more than you will ever know.

Please, you all.

You have to give it up for my incredible campaign staff.

Up every day and gave this fight.

They're very all I'm so proud of this small but mighty team.

And what we have accomplished together.

We have demonstrated what's possible when you stay true to your values, fight for what you believe in and never take anything for granted.

And Senator Tammy Duckworth.

All of the incredible elected officials here tonight.

Thank you for being steadfast partners and friends cheered me on and stood by my side day after day.

Every single person who chipped in to this campaign with your time, your resources, your energy, your prayers, and your blood, sweat and tears and tweets.

made the difference in this race.

This wind belongs to all of us.

>> I'd also like to thank.

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi congresswoman Robin Kelly and our.

Other opponents in this race see running for office is never easy.

It requires grit, determination and sacrifice.

Thank you for stepping up to run.

Most importantly, I'd like to thank each and every Illinois and who showed up to participate in this election.

And Rick.

Used to be silenced no matter you cast your ballot for.

I want you to know that I'm running to be your advocate and fighter in Washington, D.C.

I will spend every day from now until November 3rd, working to earn your support.

Tonight's message.

It's clear.

We're ready to take our democracy back into our own It's the same message I've heard is I've campaigned from Chicago to Carbondale from Rockford to Springfield and everywhere in between.

I've seen the very best of Illinois we have taken to the streets, stood up for their neighbors and refuse to back down time and time again with everything on the line.

Illinois shows up.

Together.

Together.

We've confronted one of the most frightening moments of our lifetimes.

But despite the fear.

We never lost sight of what's most important.

And that is courage.

It inspired me to run.

Courage power.

This campaign.

And courage will bring this fight straight to Donald Trump's core.

Listen, this campaign was built on a simple belief.

We are stronger when we stand together.

I'm sure a couple when we turn our fear into courage and our anger into action.

This was the mission right at the outset.

And that is the mission we accomplish tonight.

11 months ago.

I made a promise to Illinois.

To be the You deserve to go to the mat fighting for you and to bring your voices with me to Washington.

I haven't forgotten that promise.

As we turn to face a Republican opponent in the general election.

We will confront new challenges and new attacks from the candidate unfit to stand up to Donald Trump.

interested in fighting for your needs.

And unwilling to challenge the status quo that has failed our families.

And every day in jail, November.

3rd, we will be laser focused on making sure every Illinois knows exactly what's at stake.

We will fight for Medicare for all.

to abolish ICE.

Fight for a real living wage.

Not just the bare minimum.

We'll fight to defend our rights and claw our democracy back from the brink.

Tonight.

Let's celebrate.

The work begins again.

And we will tackle it just like we've tackled the last 11 months together.

On day one of this journey.

I asked you to make an uncomfortable choice.

To choose to fight for our democracy to choose to resist, to choose, to speak out and stand up for what you believe in.

And that choice is one that I've had to make every single day.

And it's a choice that my dad Henry made 61 years ago this week.

He made an uncomfortable choice not knowing where it might lead.

He chose to March from Selma to Montgomery.

Because civil rights were under attack.

And he knew he needed to stand up and be counted.

His story.

Is a reminder that this fight is bigger than you for me.

A reminder that we are fighting righteous fight.

A reminder of the long and storied movement.

We I helping to build.

We lost my dad in November.

And while he's not with us here tonight.

I see his handprints everywhere.

I look.

I see his courage.

In the eyes of my daughters.

Icu, his dedication.

And the hard work of my team.

I see his determination in the face looking back at me.

And tonight as I stand here.

Humbled by the trust Illinoisans have placed in me.

I see that time he handed to me and to each and every one of us.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, my dad would have been 93.

And today I'm proud to tell him.

Dad, we did it.

We talk that baton and we ran and we will fight tirelessly to continue the work that you started.

And while I wish.

That he and my mother Velma, we're here in this room to share in this moment.

I feel their presence in each and every one of you.

And I know they are watching.

And I know they are proud.

>> Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton sounds like might be coming to the conclusion of her of her victory speech you know, she is reiterated, you know, some of the stuff that she's talked about on the campaign trail.

Of course, she's called abolishing ICE minimum wage, standing up to The current presidential administration.

she's talked about pivoting to the general elections starting tomorrow and just closing out with stories about her.

Her parents and participated in the march on Selma.

I want to bring in our political experts again when staggering Connie Mixon.

Before we went to Julianna Stratton speech there, Wayne, we were just about to start talking about the surprises in this race.

This particular one.

Yeah, 2 dominant thoughts or one.

There's there's clearly no dominant sentiment across all these races, right?

We have a mix of moderates.

We have some progressives.

We have, you nobody's winning with the majority.

>> And it's actually good for the Democratic Party to have this many contested races.

I know the kind of insiders, oh, my God, look at all the money.

We're spending beating each other up.

But what you're doing is you're building organizations are building infrastructure within areas and you're engaging people.

You're building a party with this many contested races.

So this is going to bode well for the Democrats going forward Secondly, the role of money.

You know, you this is where the media probably over hype it.

And that is money unable to make your case as a candidate to the voters doesn't mean they're going to buy, right?

This is kind of Michael Bloomberg want to go back to the the big back in 2020.

But having money to make it voters may not buy it.

And that was the case right outspent his opponent somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 to one, at least Stratton.

And, you know, I demanded what mattered here was message resonates with the voters.

This is more progressive than at least 8 wide.

And organizations still matters.

And the state of Illinois, you mentioned that, you know, there's there's no overall theme across a lot of these races.

Could that hurt the Democrats, though, if air?

>> If if they are disjointed and in different candidates are standing on different principles.

>> I don't think so necessarily.

I think, you know, big tent broad.

It depends on the race and where it is.

You know, what might work statewide in Illinois is a little bit different than what is going to work in the 8th congressional district.

So.

>> Democrats need to tailor their message and their positions based on that district in the state.

They're running Iran, right?

So we're going to head back out to the West Loop.

Very briefly.

Our head to Sharon is on standby there Stratton's headquarters again.

>> Fran, just I want to take a moment and talk about the importance of Governor JB Pritzker in this race without his billions funneled through a super PAC.

Juliana Stratton would not have been able to keep pace with Roger Chris Northeast.

Millions of dollars in spending on advertisements.

Tonight's victory for Juliana Stratton is no doubt a victory for her, but also a demonstration of Pritzker's political muscle, which we will be hearing a lot more about as he runs for a 3rd term as governor.

against Darren Bailey who won the GOP nomination tonight.

But there was a reason why Governor Pritzker with all in on Juliana Stratton, a Lieutenant Governor that he picked out of the Illinois House and it is on the verge of sending United States Senate.

A question that many people across the country will be asking is whether his political prowess result in a campaign for president in 2028. and perhaps a trip of his own to Washington, D.C.

>> A lot to keep an eye on for Illinois politicians this year.

And of course, as the year in the years to come head to Sharon at the Stratton Headquarters for us.

Thank Letter.

>> So one of the things that had to mention, of course, is Governor JB Pritzker and his impact.

Obviously, you know, money.

Lots of it.

Some of it definitely supporting Julianna Stratton, but he also lent his endorsement tumor growth candidate for Illinois comptroller.

What does all of about Pritzker's political power in Illinois and how it's changed or grown county and then he has coattails he's got the money to be able to support down-ballot candidates and he has the name recognition.

>> I think it bodes well for him right now.

A lot of other races and a so many races summit with so little time.

Wayne, what other races surprise you >> it mean for me, the 9th probably the one I was watching the closest because that one is first of all, it going Congress on the franchisees, district, some 16 people on the ballot.

with just a huge race and so many qualified candidates running.

But, you know, the and the outside money in this one, you really for me, this race really showed, you know, the continued salient of the Israel Palestinian kind of fight that has emerged in 2024 and it's still there and the party and I mean, you can die because all I had in so many of her videos, you know, many have you know that yet.

Daniel Evanston Mayor Daniel is the one who took that nomination this evening, OK, that's what we'll have to leave it, of course.

And on this all week staggering cutting Nixon, thanks so much to both of you for your time tonight.

>> And with that will wrap up our election night coverage.

Join us tomorrow night when Nick Bloomberg will sit down for a conversation with Governor JB Pritzker.

>> Now for all of us here at Chicago tonight.

Thanks for watching.

I'm Brandis Friedman.

Stay healthy and safe and have a good night.

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