Stratton Senate Campaign Releases Ad Featuring Explicit Anti-Trump Message
Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton's Senate campaign has released its first television advertisement, which features individuals, including Senator Tammy Duckworth, stating "F--- Trump." The ad includes audible bleeps to obscure the expletive.
Stratton herself does not use the explicit language in the advertisement, appearing on screen to state, "They said it, not me."
"They said it, not me."
— Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton
Ad Released Ahead of Primary Amid Trailing Polls
The ad was released less than a month before the state's primary election. Early polling, fundraising, and airtime data indicate Stratton is trailing Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi. Governor JB Pritzker supports Stratton.
Republican Committee Responds
The Republican National Committee issued a statement in response to the ad. Spokeswoman Delanie Bomar criticized Stratton as a "defund-the-police radical" who "ignores crime."
"defund-the-police radical" who "ignores crime."
— Delanie Bomar, RNC Spokeswoman
This ad follows a national discussion among Democrats regarding the extent to which President Donald Trump should be a focus of campaign messaging. Other candidates in the same primary race, including Raja Krishnamoorthi and Representative Robin Kelly, have also released ads focusing on or criticizing the Trump administration.
Campaign Finance Highlights Disparities
Campaign spending figures provide insight into the financial dynamics of the primary race. Krishnamoorthi has spent significantly more, with $23.5 million on ads through mid-February. In contrast, Kelly spent $212,000, and Stratton spent $69,000 during the same period.
Stratton's campaign, however, is receiving substantial super PAC support. Governor Pritzker contributed $5 million to a super PAC supporting Stratton, with his cousin Jennifer Pritzker and spouse adding $1.1 million. Upcoming TV ad bookings show additional spending from the pro-Stratton Illinois Future PAC, Krishnamoorthi, Kelly, and Stratton's campaign.