>> Watts of changes in store for the Illinois congressional delegation.

Nominees have emerged for the U.S.

Senate.

We're actually on standby now to hear from Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, but also Illinois's second, 7th 8007th 9th congressional districts all in play.

Here to break down tonight's results and trends are Wayne State or a political science professor at DePaul University and Connie Mixon, a political science professor at Elmhurst University.

And again, to our viewers, we might away from this conversation shortly if the candidate takes the stage.

So a county representative Krishnamoorthi has conceded as we reported to Julianna Stratton in the race to replace outgoing Senator Durbin winning most of the vote in Chicago and Cook County.

As we just heard from Nic.

What's her when signal about what Democratic voters are thinking actually before you answer that, we're going to go back downtown to hear Governor Lieutenant Governor Stratton right now.

>> My name is Kathy Strata and I am honored to be here tonight.

>> Ok, so we have we think someone is setting her up to take the stage right now.

Actually, we're hearing from Kasey who I think it's probably making the introduction for on-time Governor Stratton.

So as we're as we're looking at to come back to you with that question, what is the signal about what Democratic voters are thinking?

Well, I certainly they went towards the more progressive candidate as opposed I think the gap >> is somewhat surprising.

I expected this to be a closer race, whereas on Stratton is coming in with somewhere around 40% of the vote were rash, only has around.

33% of the vote.

One would have expected that to be closer, particularly because Russia was on the air with millions of dollars July.

I remember doing interviews at that point about the fact that this was so early for somebody to be on the air and without an incumbent in a race, we tend to look at money as a proxy for making predictions about who might win.

Roger Rees somewhere between 25 to 30 million dollars.

Plus outside funding that was coming in and spending on behalf of him restraint and only had raised 2 to 4 million herself, although JB Pritzker kicked in at least 5 Million.

And there was some outside spending.

But she was certainly outspent by Russia for sure.

And we see she's waving to the crowd.

Now they're in river north where her watch party is being held.

>> it's not written or think it's awareness things.

West Wayne, what it what does this say to you before before she starts talking in the mobile kind of way?

>> Okay.

I would say in regard.

Well, and there she is.

Thank you.

>> Well, first of all.

>> I have to start by giving honor to God.

Second of I asked.

Stratton, I'm so proud to serve as your Lieutenant Governor.

And I am humbled and honored to stand before you tonight as your Democratic nominee.

Did it.

I we showed was possible.

When you listen to the people and give the people what they want.

>> I could not have done this without each and every one of you.

>> Now, let me start by saying thank you to my amazing husband, Brian.

Incredible daughters.

Cassidy Ryan and Mackenzie.

I cannot thank you enough for how you have shown up for me and kept me grounded throughout this entire journey.

Of the hardest moments, both on the campaign trail.

And as we navigated profound grief and loss as a family, your love support and faith has been my guiding light.

>> Amazing friends and village.

Levity when things felt heavy built my cup win.

I felt depleted triumph with me when momentum broke our way and answered the call every time your support means more than you will ever know.

Please, you all.

You have to give it up for my incredible campaign staff.

Up every day and gave this fight.

They're very all I'm so proud of this small but mighty team.

And what we have accomplished together.

We have demonstrated what's possible when you stay true to your values, fight for what you believe in and never take anything for granted.

And Senator Tammy Duckworth.

All of the incredible elected officials here tonight.

Thank you for being steadfast partners and friends cheered me on and stood by my side day after day.

Every single person who chipped in to this campaign with your time, your resources, your energy, your prayers, and your blood, sweat and tears and tweets.

made the difference in this race.

This wind belongs to all of us.

>> I'd also like to thank.

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi congresswoman Robin Kelly and our.

Other opponents in this race see running for office is never easy.

It requires grit, determination and sacrifice.

Thank you for stepping up to run.

Most importantly, I'd like to thank each and every Illinois and who showed up to participate in this election.

And Rick.

Used to be silenced no matter you cast your ballot for.

I want you to know that I'm running to be your advocate and fighter in Washington, D.C.

I will spend every day from now until November 3rd, working to earn your support.

Tonight's message.

It's clear.

We're ready to take our democracy back into our own It's the same message I've heard is I've campaigned from Chicago to Carbondale from Rockford to Springfield and everywhere in between.

I've seen the very best of Illinois we have taken to the streets, stood up for their neighbors and refuse to back down time and time again with everything on the line.

Illinois shows up.

Together.

Together.

We've confronted one of the most frightening moments of our lifetimes.

But despite the fear.

We never lost sight of what's most important.

And that is courage.

It inspired me to run.

Courage power.

This campaign.

And courage will bring this fight straight to Donald Trump's core.

Listen, this campaign was built on a simple belief.

We are stronger when we stand together.

I'm sure a couple when we turn our fear into courage and our anger into action.

This was the mission right at the outset.

And that is the mission we accomplish tonight.

11 months ago.

I made a promise to Illinois.

To be the You deserve to go to the mat fighting for you and to bring your voices with me to Washington.

I haven't forgotten that promise.

As we turn to face a Republican opponent in the general election.

We will confront new challenges and new attacks from the candidate unfit to stand up to Donald Trump.

interested in fighting for your needs.

And unwilling to challenge the status quo that has failed our families.

And every day in jail, November.

3rd, we will be laser focused on making sure every Illinois knows exactly what's at stake.

We will fight for Medicare for all.

to abolish ICE.

Fight for a real living wage.

Not just the bare minimum.

We'll fight to defend our rights and claw our democracy back from the brink.

Tonight.

Let's celebrate.

The work begins again.

And we will tackle it just like we've tackled the last 11 months together.

On day one of this journey.

I asked you to make an uncomfortable choice.

To choose to fight for our democracy to choose to resist, to choose, to speak out and stand up for what you believe in.

And that choice is one that I've had to make every single day.

And it's a choice that my dad Henry made 61 years ago this week.

He made an uncomfortable choice not knowing where it might lead.

He chose to March from Selma to Montgomery.

Because civil rights were under attack.

And he knew he needed to stand up and be counted.

His story.

Is a reminder that this fight is bigger than you for me.

A reminder that we are fighting righteous fight.

A reminder of the long and storied movement.

We I helping to build.

We lost my dad in November.

And while he's not with us here tonight.

I see his handprints everywhere.

I look.

I see his courage.

In the eyes of my daughters.

Icu, his dedication.

And the hard work of my team.

I see his determination in the face looking back at me.

And tonight as I stand here.

Humbled by the trust Illinoisans have placed in me.

I see that time he handed to me and to each and every one of us.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, my dad would have been 93.

And today I'm proud to tell him.

Dad, we did it.

We talk that baton and we ran and we will fight tirelessly to continue the work that you started.

And while I wish.

That he and my mother Velma, we're here in this room to share in this moment.

I feel their presence in each and every one of you.

And I know they are watching.

And I know they are proud.

>> Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton sounds like might be coming to the conclusion of her of her victory speech you know, she is reiterated, you know, some of the stuff that she's talked about on the campaign trail.

Of course, she's called abolishing ICE minimum wage, standing up to The current presidential administration.

she's talked about pivoting to the general elections starting tomorrow and just closing out with stories about her.

Her parents and participated in the march on Selma.

I want to bring in our political experts again when staggering Connie Mixon.

Before we went to Julianna Stratton speech there, Wayne, we were just about to start talking about the surprises in this race.

This particular one.

Yeah, 2 dominant thoughts or one.

There's there's clearly no dominant sentiment across all these races, right?

We have a mix of moderates.

We have some progressives.

We have, you nobody's winning with the majority.

>> And it's actually good for the Democratic Party to have this many contested races.

I know the kind of insiders, oh, my God, look at all the money.

We're spending beating each other up.

But what you're doing is you're building organizations are building infrastructure within areas and you're engaging people.

You're building a party with this many contested races.

So this is going to bode well for the Democrats going forward Secondly, the role of money.

You know, you this is where the media probably over hype it.

And that is money unable to make your case as a candidate to the voters doesn't mean they're going to buy, right?

This is kind of Michael Bloomberg want to go back to the the big back in 2020.

But having money to make it voters may not buy it.

And that was the case right outspent his opponent somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 to one, at least Stratton.

And, you know, I demanded what mattered here was message resonates with the voters.

This is more progressive than at least 8 wide.

And organizations still matters.

And the state of Illinois, you mentioned that, you know, there's there's no overall theme across a lot of these races.

Could that hurt the Democrats, though, if air?

>> If if they are disjointed and in different candidates are standing on different principles.

>> I don't think so necessarily.

I think, you know, big tent broad.

It depends on the race and where it is.

You know, what might work statewide in Illinois is a little bit different than what is going to work in the 8th congressional district.

So.