Illinois' open US Senate race tests Gov. JB Pritzker's influence ahead of possible presidential bid

A rare opening for Illinois to elect a new U.S. senator has sparked sparked a political brawl among the top three candidates in the Democratic state. Yet the Democratic primary to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has also become a political test for another candidate on the ballot. That's Gov. JB Pritzker, the billionaire who's running unopposed in his own primary. Pritzker is backing Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton over U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly. But Pritzker’s looming presence has created new wrinkles with criticism from prominent Black Democrats to questions about the possible 2028 presidential contender’s influence.