U.S. Senate · Illinois

Incumbent: Dick Durbin (Democratic) · Incumbent retiring
General election Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026

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The candidates

Juliana Stratton

Democratic

Lieutenant governor of Illinois (2019–present).

Background via Wikipedia race page · its cited source: chicago.suntimes.com

Don Tracy

Republican

Former chair of the Illinois Republican Party (2021–2024), former member of the Illinois Gaming Board (2015–2019), candidate for lieutenant governor in 2010, and brother-in-law of state Senator Jil Tracy.

Background via Wikipedia race page · its cited source: dailyherald.com

Whitfield Harrington Jr.

Independent

Whitfield Harrington Jr. earned a bachelor's degree from Delta State University in 2002.

Background via Ballotpedia (first sentence of its biography)

Candidates checked against the official list: state election office source. Candidate list compiled from the Wikipedia race page and the sources on each profile. Check your official sample ballot before voting.

Where they stand: Stratton vs. Tracy

Topic rows are grouped by Vote Book; the headings and quoted words are each candidate’s own, with the source under each one. “As reported” means a news outlet’s description, not an exact quote. A yellow tag means no public position was found on that topic.

Education
Stratton

What should the federal government do to provide an equitable, quality public education for all children pre-K through grade 12?

Education is a fundamental right. I’ll fight to ensure every student can access the quality education they deserve. Illinois has proven that investing in students works: our high school graduation rate is the highest in 14 years and our 8th graders have the second highest reading scores and fifth highest math scores nationwide. Public education creates opportunities for the middle class. That’s we should: restore and rebuild the Department of Education as a guardian of public education and civil rights, protect funding for Head Start and early childhood learning programs from Trump’s cuts, and fund wraparound student support programs from broadband access to housing assistance, so students can focus on learning, not surviving.
Candidate's own answer to the League of Women Voters, via VOTE411
TracyNo public position found
Jobs, wages & cost of living
Stratton

Making Life More Affordable

Making life more affordable will be one of Juliana’s key priorities at the federal level too. As Senator, some of Juliana’s key legislative priorities would include: Ending Trump’s Trade War and Tax on Working Families
Campaign-website text via Ballotpedia

Creating Opportunities for the Middle Class

Hard work should be a pathway to a middle class life, but for too long, the American Dream has been out of reach for so many. That’s why in Illinois, Juliana has worked alongside Governor Pritzker to expand opportunities for the middle class: creating new jobs, investing in 21st century industries, and lowering the cost of job training so workers can get higher-paying jobs.
Campaign-website text via Ballotpedia

1 more on profile →

TracyNo public position found
Foreign policy
Stratton

What is the US’ responsibility in supporting international institutions such as the United Nations, NATO, and the International Criminal Court?

As a world superpower, the U.S. has a duty to support and defend democracy and human rights around the globe. I’d support restoring funding for the USAID, rejoining international partnerships that uplift some of the world’s most vulnerable populations, and strengthening NATO to secure our mutual interests. The U.S. should be a partner for peace and international efforts to combat disease, hunger, and the countless other problems that afflict global populations. We should join efforts to provide humanitarian aid for countries suffering from natural disasters and global conflict. We cannot turn our backs on our allies and we cannot sit idly by as innocent people suffer when we have such capacity to be a force for good in this world.
Candidate's own answer to the League of Women Voters, via VOTE411
TracyNo public position found
Elections, ethics & government
Stratton

Protecting Your Rights and Our Democracy

Donald Trump and his powerful friends are carrying out unprecedented attacks on our rights, our democracy, and everything that makes us Americans. As they roll back the clock on our freedoms, they’re also dismantling our systems, ignoring the Constitution, and disregarding the courts. The goal? To give Donald Trump and his allies unchecked power – not to make life any better for our families.
Campaign-website text via Ballotpedia

What measures do you support to improve and secure elections and voting access in our country?

My father marched from Selma to Montgomery for voting rights 60 years ago and I’m proud to take on the fight today. Working with Gov. Pritzker, I’ve helped expand voter protections and access: creating permanent voter by mail registry, extending voting hours, and making Election Day a state holiday. Congressional Republicans are attempting to disenfranchise millions of Americans, attacking voting access with the SAVE Act. Our authoritarian president doesn’t want us to even have elections. I’ll fight for our fundamental right to vote. I’d support passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and push for policies like expanded voting hours and stronger mail services to ensure you not only can vote, but feel you have a true voice in our democracy.
Candidate's own answer to the League of Women Voters, via VOTE411

1 more on profile →

TracyNo public position found
Families & communities
Stratton

Fighting for Illinois’ Working Families

GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT Juliana knows that working families need government to be a partner – not a roadblock. That’s why she fights to make life easier for Illinoisans. Now, she’s ready to take that fight to the United States Senate.
Campaign-website text via Ballotpedia
TracyNo public position found

Other candidates on the ballot

Whitfield Harrington Jr. (Independent)

What measures do you support to improve and secure elections and voting access in our country?

I support voter identification, early in person voting, and absentee ballots for people who request them or need them. States should maintain accurate voter rolls, protect election workers, preserve reliable paper records, conduct transparent audits, and publish clear rules before voting begins. I oppose universal mail voting because broadly sending ballots without an individual request is not the most secure process. We must reverse the decline in public trust caused by inconsistent counting practices and confusion about mail ballots. Every eligible citizen should have a reasonable opportunity to vote, and every voter should be able to trust that ballots are cast, secured, and counted lawfully. Clear rules build public confidence.
Candidate's own answer to the League of Women Voters, via VOTE411

What, if anything, should the federal government do to reduce the role of money in American elections?

Supreme Court rulings have given political spending strong constitutional protection, including corporate spending. Congress must still keep elections from becoming a process that can be bought. Any public debate should include every candidate who qualifies for the ballot. Money should not decide who voters are allowed to hear. I will fight for a system where the size of a candidate’s bank account does not determine the size of that candidate’s voice. Democracy belongs to the people, not the highest bidder. Every American gets one vote, whether or not they own a corporation. The rules must apply equally to all candidates. America is not for sale to the highest bidder. Voters deserve to hear every qualified vision and choose the best one.
Candidate's own answer to the League of Women Voters, via VOTE411

3 more positions on profile →

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Official voting records

The same nine Senate votes (or three House votes) are shown for every current member of Congress running, so records can be compared across races. Click a roll call for the official tally.

No congressional voting record for: Whitfield Harrington Jr., Juliana Stratton, Don Tracy. State legislative or local records are not yet compiled.