Illinois Lt Gov Stratton wins

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton on Tuesday won the Democratic Party primary to replace retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, putting her in position to win the November election in this solidly Democratic state.



Stratton, 60, defeated 10 other Democratic candidates vying for the nomination, including U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly. Stratton was endorsed by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and was viewed as the most progressive of the top three candidates.



She campaigned on a platform to increase the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour from $7.25, and backed the elimination of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, which has conducted immigrant deportation efforts in Chicago and other major U.S. cities.



"Courage will bring this fight straight to Donald Trump's door," Stratton said, as her crowd cheered wildly when she said, "We will fight to abolish ICE," referring to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.



Democrats aim to anchor their midterm campaigns on the cost of living in the United States, arguing that Trump has failed to alleviate their worries over prices for groceries, fuel, healthcare and child care.