In The News: JB Pritzker Picks Juliana Stratton for Lieutenant Governor
Chicago, IL — Yesterday, JB Pritzker announced his pick for lieutenant governor, State Representative Juliana Stratton. Throughout her career, Rep. Stratton has been a powerful voice for Illinois working families on the South Side of Chicago and across the state. News stories noted her long history of fighting for criminal justice reform, a woman’s right to choose, and economic justice. Here’s what they’re saying:
From WBBM:
Representative Juliana Stratton would be the first African American chosen by a major party for this slot. As CBS 2’s Roseanne Tellez reports, she’s considered a strong choice.
J.B. Pritzker called it one of the most important and easiest decisions of the campaign.
“Juliana engenders respect and admiration as a tireless advocate for those who’ve been left out and those who have been left behind,” Pritzker said.
From WMAQ:
“Juliana doesn’t back down from a tough fight. That’s why I need her at my side in this election,” said Pritzker.
Stratton’s daughters helped Pritzker introduce her to a cheering crowd, where Stratton talked up her work on criminal justice reform and her support for women’s access to abortion and for a black community that has been “ignored and suffered decades of disinvestment.” She also criticized Rauner for a years-long state budget impasse that led to big cuts to social services and other programs.
From WLS:
With enthusiastic supporters cheering him on, Pritzker took the next step in his battle to become Illinois’ next governor. He has been relentless in his attacks on Rauner, and by adding Stratton to the ticket, signaled that will now continue two-fold.
“The damage has been done by Bruce Rauner, the problem is Bruce Rauner, the solution, is J.B. Pritzker,” said Stratton.
From WTTW:
Democratic candidate for governor J.B. Pritzker has selected a running mate. She is freshman South Side state Rep. Juliana Stratton. Pritzker on Thursday introduced his candidate for lieutenant governor at a rally. Stratton has a long career as a violence mediator and formerly served as executive director of the Cook County Justice Advisory Council.
“Politicians in Springfield and Washington come in with short-term fixes and Band-Aids,” Stratton said. “We don’t need more Band-Aids. We need real solutions, and that is what J.B. and I will provide.”
From WAND:
JB Pritzker, Democratic candidate for governor announced Thursday, Representative Juliana Stratton, D-Chicago, would be his running mate.
“Juliana Stratton is one of our state’s fiercest leaders, and I couldn’t be prouder to have her standing with me in this campaign and as our next lieutenant governor. Tackling the many challenges that face our state won’t be easy, but Juliana doesn’t back down from a tough fight.
From WEEK:
In a statement Representative Stratton said, “I am so excited to be a part of this campaign and to move our state forward with JB Pritzker as our next governor.”
Stratton is the first woman on any Democratic gubernatorial ticket from Illinois.
From WREX:
One candidate has already picked his running mate. JB Pritzker tapped State Representative Juliana Stratton of Chicago as his running mate. The billionaire businessman says Stratton has taken on Republican governor Bruce Rauner and will fight for middle and working-class families statewide.
From the Associated Press, Pritzker Chooses Rep. Juliana Stratton as 2018 Running Mate:
Democratic candidate for Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker named state Rep. Juliana Stratton to be his 2018 running mate Thursday, calling the Chicago attorney a fighter who “hasn’t been shy about standing up” to Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and President Donald Trump.
Stratton’s daughters helped Pritzker introduce her to a cheering crowd, where Stratton talked up her work on criminal justice reform and her support for women’s access to abortion and for a black community that has been “ignored and suffered decades of disinvestment.” She also criticized Rauner for a years-long state budget impasse that led to big cuts to social services and other programs.
From the Chicago Sun-Times, Pritzker to run with Stratton: Not ‘shy about standing up’ to Rauner:
Pritzker made the announcement in a video released by his campaign, and the two Democrats appeared at a rally at Sherwood Park on Thursday morning.
There, Pritzker championed Stratton, a first-time legislator, as a “person of genuine empathy,” who isn’t “shy about standing up to Bruce Rauner or Donald Trump.”
Stratton, who is African-American and was elected with the help of President Barack Obama, called herself a problem solver who can bring people together. She lamented the struggles of Chicago’s minority communities.
From the Chicago Defender, JB Pritker Taps State Rep. Juliana Stratton As Running Mate:
As an attorney and resident of Bronzeville, Stratton is a favorite among her constituents making herself accessible at community meetings and rolling her sleeves up as a freshman state legislator in this latest budget crisis.
It is no wonder why the Pritzker camp would consider Stratton as a viable running mate for the governor’s race. She is highly supported by two of the biggest labor unions in the state, SEIU and CTU (Chicago Teachers Union). But most importantly, it sets a historical tone of her becoming the first African-American woman as a running mate in an Illinois gubernatorial race. It also helps adds creditability to J.B. Pritzker’s presence in the African-American community and connects him to the real interests that concern voters.
From the Chicago Tribune, Stratton Brings Diversity to Pritzker Campaign:
During an event to tout her joining Prtizker’s campaign, Stratton, an African-American woman and first-term lawmaker, said that neglected concerns in the black community would be addressed.
“So many of our communities of color, especially the black community, are not being heard,” Stratton said at a campaign event at Sherwood Park in Englewood.
At Thursday’s announcement, Pritzker noted Stratton’s background as director of the Center for Public Safety and Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago in touting her efforts to improve the criminal justice system and at trying to bring trust between law enforcement and local communities.
“People talk a lot these days about the things that divide us instead of the things that unite us,” Pritzker said.
From WTAX:
“For me, it is an opportunity to do what I have been doing in public service. I started doing work as a local school council chair, doing work in my community, and then I moved to (being a) state representative,” Stratton told WTAX News as she prepared to march in the State Fair Twilight Parade. “Now this is a way to broaden the impact and, hopefully, help as J.B. helps to turn the state around from the damage done by Gov. (Bruce) Rauner.”
From Peoria Public Radio:
At a rally in Chicago – Stratton – who’s black – said her community has been on the wrong side of the criminal justice system for too long.
STRATTON: We have been ignored and suffered decades of disinvestment.
Stratton says she wants to ban pre-schools from expelling children and ban police booking stations in schools.
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