Illinois Democratic Senate Hopeful Stratton Vows to Oppose Schumer as Leader

At a Jan. 26 debate for Illinois’ open U.S. Senate seat, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said she would not vote to keep Sen. Chuck Schumer as Democratic leader if elected, while Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly declined to commit and said their support would depend on Schumer’s 'pitch' and potential challengers. The debate, hosted at the University of Chicago ahead of the March 2026 primary, put on display growing Democratic discontent with Schumer after the record‑long government shutdown that began in October and over his handling of expiring ACA subsidies. The article notes that other progressives, including Reps. Ro Khanna and Rashida Tlaib, have already called for Schumer to be replaced as majority leader, arguing he is "no longer effective" and "out of touch" with working people’s concerns. Schumer’s office did not respond to Fox’s request for comment, but the public split from a likely next senator from a deep‑blue state adds pressure on leadership heading into a high‑stakes 2026 midterm map where Democrats’ internal unity may determine control of the chamber.