Illinois Senate primary race is test of Pritzker's sway, Democrats' views of ICE, outside spending - CBS News
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Illinois Democrats' Senate primary tests party divisions over immigration enforcement and Trump's deportation policies.
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Illinois Democrats are holding a Senate primary that will test both Gov. J.B. Pritzker's political influence within his party and reveal Democratic voters' appetite for tough immigration enforcement against ICE. The race is emerging as a proxy battle over how aggressively Democrats should challenge the Trump administration's immigration policies, with the outcome potentially signaling the party's direction on a defining issue ahead of the 2026 midterms. Outside spending groups are pouring resources into the contest, amplifying its importance beyond a single state race. The primary reflects deeper fractures within the Democratic base over how to respond to deportation efforts, with some candidates taking harder stances on immigration enforcement while others oppose ICE operations outright. Pritzker's endorsement could prove decisive in a crowded field where his backing historically carries weight among Illinois voters.
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Outside spending groups are pouring resources into the primary contest to influence the outcome.
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