(WAND) - Governor JB Pritzker endorsed his lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, for the U.S. Senate on Friday.
Pritzker made the announcement at an event in the city’s Southside neighborhood of Bronzeville, where Stratton grew up.
At an unrelated press conference, the Democrat Governor said Stratton is the best person to oppose President Trump.
"What all candidates will no doubt share in common is an understanding that this is a moment which we need to fight," Pritzker said. "There's no better fighter that's demonstrated a greater ability to stand up to Donald Trump and the Republicans than Juliana Stratton."
The Governor also said he believes this will be a contested primary.
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton announced Thursday morning she is running for United States Senate.
Juliana Stratton announces her intention to run for United States Senate.
Stratton has been serving as the 48th lieutenant governor of Illinois since 2019.
She previously served as a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019.
Stratton posted a video statement to YouTube and said, "For too long, the middle class has been centered on the campaign trail but sidelined when it comes to real governance. I've spent the last six years serving as Lieutenant Governor of the great state of Illinois, and I've seen firsthand the progress that's possible when we treat the needs of the middle class as the focal point, not just the talking point."
She went on to criticize President Donald Trump's leadership and Elon Musk for their "relentless attack on Americans," and praise the work of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
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