With Sen. Dick Durbin stepping aside after nearly three decades in the U.S. Senate, Democratic Party leaders in Cook County have wisely chosen not to anoint a favorite in the crowded Democratic primary.
Illinois voters deserve a Democratic primary without heavy‑handed meddling. So Cook County Democrats made the right call by staying neutral.
A neutral stance can prevent the kind of backroom deals that turn off voters and depress turnout. Across the country, voters are showing impatience with party insiders angling to pick winners long before ballots are cast.
We’re glad the Democratic powers that be decided — albeit, not unanimously — that this momentous occasion should be left to the people, despite immense pressure from Gov. JB Pritzker to back his former lieutenant governor for the seat.
While we believe the governor is within his rights to endorse anyone he pleases and even to put some of his personal billions to work for that candidate, we’ve also said we believe Pritzker should resist the urge to put his thumb on the scale. While he’d certainly love to lock in a key ally as Durbin’s inevitable successor, the people deserve a fair, competitive race.
Pritzker’s preferred candidate, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, has served as lieutenant governor since 2019 and previously served in the Illinois House, giving her statewide visibility and legislative experience.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, a former state legislator and statewide officeholder, has represented Illinois in Congress since 2013 and brings deep ties to the party’s establishment.
And U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, in Congress since 2017, is a prolific fundraiser with a strong suburban base and support from prominent Latino and downstate leaders.
That’s the hot state of play at present but the primary won’t take place until March.
We’ll have plenty more to say about this race before that. And America could well be in a different place by then.
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