A series of high-profile Democratic primaries was headlined by an expensive US Senate race to replace retiring Democratic Whip Dick Durbin.

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won a three-way race against US Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly on Tuesday night. As the Democratic nominee, she’ll be heavily favored in November to become just the sixth Black woman senator in US history.

And in the US House, several key primaries around Chicago highlighted divisions in the party and the effect of outside money from groups related to artificial intelligence interests as well as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Road to the midterms

Voters arrive at polling place in Cincinnati, Ohio, during the 2024 presidential election.
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What six upcoming House primaries will reveal about Donald Trump and Democrats
President Donald Trump’s political power will be put to a high-profile test in Kentucky, where he’s targeted Rep. Thomas Massie, and a crowded primary in Montana. And Democrats are facing off in crowded primaries in Pennsylvania, Nebraska and California, with opposing visions of the party’s future and who is most likely to flip Republican-held districts.

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