Robin Kelly

Illinois operates under a plurality system, meaning the person with the most votes wins even if they receive less than 50% of the vote.

Krishnamoorthi conceded to Stratton in a speech to supporters Tuesday night, stating he will accept defeat “unlike Donald Trump.” All three major Democratic candidates had pledged to stand up to the president if they were elected.

Millions of dollars dominated the Democratic primary to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL). It is the first time his seat has been open in almost three decades and the first open Senate seat in Illinois in 16 years.

Krishnamoorthi brought in just under $30 million, with Stratton raising $4 million and Kelly raising $3 million, making Stratton’s win all the more surprising. She benefitted from a $5 million donation Pritzker made to Illinois Future PAC, which supported Stratton’s candidacy.

Four super PACs spent nearly $17 million on advertising and other campaign support across the three candidates. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, has stayed quiet on the Senate race, instead opting to invest heavily in multiple House races, but an analysis by the Intercept found at least 27 AIPAC donors had backed Stratton.

Ads largely were a mudslinging fest between Krishnamoorthi and Stratton. Groups supporting Krishnamoorthi also sought to boost Kelly as a way to siphon votes away from Stratton, but the lieutenant governor managed to sail to victory in a crowded primary field.

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Stratton is all but assured to win the Senate seat this November, given Illinois’s blue lean. She will face former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy in the general election.