>> And the race is officially Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is launching her bid to become the next senator from Illinois.

It comes less than 24 hours after a long time, Senator Durbin announced his retirement Stratton becomes the first Democrat to officially announce her candidacy in the race, which is expected to be hotly contested.

We sat down with Stratton this afternoon to talk about her announcement.

Her priorities and why she thinks she's the right choice for voters.

>> How important was it for you to be first out the gate on this?

What was important is that there's a sense of urgency right now.

We're looking at the chaos that's coming out of Washington, D.C., it's impacting middle class families across our state every single day.

People are anxious.

They are angry.

They are worried about their future and the future of their children.

And so it was important to let them know that there's somebody who's going to stand in the gap was going to stand up and fight for them.

Who's going to stand up against the chaos that's coming out of Washington, D.C., and make sure that we deliver for the people of Illinois.

And that's exactly what I intend to do.

It.

>> Why this see, how is different?

How is it better for to serve?

Illinois ends through the Senate versus your composition as Lieutenant Governor?

>> Well, first of all, let me just say that I love being the Lieutenant Governor and I love serving alongside Governor JB Pritzker.

And I'm really proud of what we've been able to accomplish over these last 6 and a half years.

I mean, we've balance the budget 6 consecutive years in a row on to 7th soon.

We have protected a woman's right to choose.

We have raised the minimum wage created jobs.

Those are all ways that we have delivered for people.

That's what government really should do it to do some good to make your life better.

And that's what people are looking for.

And I think right now in Washington, D.C., What people see is sort of the same old playbook that's been used and they're really looking for new energy, new leadership, new voices.

And that's what I intend to bring and continue the fight and continue delivering for the people of our state.

>> They're likely to be very many people.

Very many Democrats running for the that Republicans, of course, have said that they plan on trying to get it back as well.

What are some of the issues that you think will drive this election and what are your priorities?

>> Well, I think first and foremost, what's going to drive this election is recognizing that right now we have chaos coming out of our federal government and the White House right now due to Donald Trump, Elon Musk and the congressional Republicans who are not standing up for the people of Illinois are the people across our country.

I mean, look at what's happening there.

They are cutting.

Access to health care, cutting Medicaid.

They are threatening to cut Social Security.

They are.

in so many ways turning us backwards after they said that they would cut prices on day one.

We seeing these trade wars that Donald Trump started that are actually raising prices.

And so I think this is an opportunity to when we think about what's necessary.

First and foremost, we have to stand up and stand in the gap and stop the damage that's being done by Donald Trump.

And that's why we need a fighter.

And then once we can do that, then we can focus on all the issues that people are concerned about, making sure that we do exactly what we've done here in Illinois, making sure that people have expanded access to health care, that they can take care of their families, that they have that can send their children to school and know that they'll get a full education, including the history that's been so important to our our communities.

This is an opportunity to really just show the contrast between what's happening in DC and what's happening here in Illinois.

And to say that I want to be someone that not only continues to deliver for the people of Illinois, but also on.

I'm not afraid to stand up to Donald Trump.

Just looking looking ahead to this race, right?

There's there's going to be a pretty deep primary.

>> How do you plan on on fundraising and sticking to the race?

>> Well, I'm going roll up my sleeves day one to day and and get to work.

I mean, I'm going to try to meet as many Illinois and says I can.

I'm going to talk to them about their issues and I'm gonna let them know that I'm going to fight for them and I'm not going to leave any stone, you overturned.

I'm gonna make sure I try to get to everybody that I can.

But I also, you know, this is an opportunity.

I mean, think about today.

Day one.

I got a great commitment from the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, a seven-figure commitment to my campaign.

That is a boost.

And it's there's been an outpouring of support from so many people is ready for new leadership and so I'm going carry that on and make sure that I do what I do, which is go all across the state.

I've done that as Lieutenant Governor.

I've always been someone who believes that every voice matters that I try listen to the wisdom in the room and I'm gonna keep doing that.

Because every community, they're issues really unite us.

And it's going to require that unity to stand up against Donald Trump.

>> If elected, you would only be the 5th black woman elected to serve in the U.S. Senate.

One of those previous 4 is, of course, from Illinois as well.

But what does it say to you that there haven't been more and what do you think about what you make of that?

>> Well, one of the things that it says to me is that we need to change that.

I mean, we need to make sure that in all of the halls of power, whether it's in Springfield and in our nation's capital, that our voices are represented in all of these spaces.

so that we can continue to bring our authentic selves in our perspectives, in our backgrounds, into those spaces and and the strong advocates.

I mean, I think that's the beauty of America that we have so much diversity and that diversity is under attack right now.

And so we need to make sure that has policies are being created, that our voices are at the table.

But I also just think about, you know, I'm the mom of 4 daughters.

And I think about the my daughter is and so many other young girls who deserve to see people who look like them and who can look at it them and people like me and dream about what's possible for themselves.

So it's an exciting time and I look forward to running this campaign and hopefully serving in the U.S. Senate.

>> you're setting off on a listen to her after this.

Obviously, you've got a busy schedule ahead.

I'm sure.

How will you plan on or how do you plan on balancing the campaign with your current duties as Lieutenant Governor?

>> Well, I'm the work of the Lieutenant Governor is going to continue.

I mean, I have a fantastic staff and fantastic team and I'm still going to be carrying out responsibilities as Lieutenant Governor, also going to have to make sure that hit the campaign trail running as well.

And make sure that I like I said, rolling up my sleeves.

So I will find a way to balance it in and everybody that all the great people that I have working with me are going to make sure that I continue to do what I need to do for the people of Illinois in in in whatever capacity it turns up.

All right.

Lieutenant Governor Stratton, Best of Luck.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

>> Other Democrats considering entering the race include representatives, Lauren Underwood, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly as well as Treasurer Michael Frerichs, secretary of state Alexi G a