Governor JB Pritzker endorses Juliana Stratton for Senate

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Illinois Governor JB Pritzker endorsed Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton for U.S. Senate Friday.

The governor made the announcement in front of BrightStar Church on the South Side Bronzeville with Stratton, a native of Bronzeville.

It was the official kickoff for her campaign as she pursues Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin's long held senate seat.

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In an one-on-one interview with ABC7's Leah Hope, Stratton, a mother of four, said she wants to be an advocate for other parents and the elderly in the face of a new administration in Washington.

Speaking Friday morning, both Pritzker and Stratton said now is the time for new leadership.

"Illinois deserves a United States senator who knows how to fight for us," Governor JB Pritzker said. "A senator who will never cower when the moment calls for courage."

"We are living through a five alarm fire and our fight has never been more important than it is right now," Stratton said.

RELATED: Illinois Senator Dick Durbin announces he will not run for reelection: 'Time to pass the torch'

With the governor endorsing his running mate, this could be seen as warning to other possible contenders.

Other people who could expand the field of candidates include US Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Lauren Underwood and Robin Kelly, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, state Treasurer Mike Frerichs in addition to former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Krishnamoorthi says right now, he's focused on Durbin's legacy.

"I'll be having an announcement on that shortly, but today... I'm talking about Dick Durbin's service as well as the fact that, you know, Donald Trump is absolutely hurting working families through his tariffs."

It's unclear if Friday's major announcement from Pritzker will perhaps dissuade any of those people from running for the seat.

Senator Durbin said on Thursday he does not plan on making any endorsements.