Democrats Fighting It Out
A major political battle is unfolding in Illinois as Democrats compete for a rare open U.S. Senate seat following the retirement of longtime Sen. Dick Durbin.
Durbin’s decision to step down after serving five terms in Washington has triggered a high-stakes primary that could reshape the state’s political landscape. With Illinois firmly leaning Democratic in recent elections, many political observers believe the winner of Tuesday’s Democratic primary will likely become the state’s next senator.
Three Leading Democrats Emerge in Competitive Primary
While 10 Democrats entered the race, three candidates have emerged as the main contenders:
- Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi
- Rep. Robin Kelly
- Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton
The race has quickly become one of the most expensive and closely watched political contests in Illinois this year.
All three candidates have launched aggressive advertising campaigns and secured endorsements from prominent national figures as they try to rally support ahead of the March 17 primary election.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a billionaire Democrat and influential political figure in the state, has thrown his support behind Stratton, making the governor’s backing a key factor in the race.
Political strategist Tom Bowen said the contest is extremely competitive because the candidates share many of the same policy positions.
According to Bowen, Democratic voters are hearing similar messages from each campaign, including support for progressive policies and strong criticism of President Donald Trump.
Because of that overlap, the race may remain tight until the final votes are counted.
Krishnamoorthi Holds Large Fundraising Advantage
Krishnamoorthi entered the race with a significant financial advantage and strong support from fellow Democrats in Washington.
The five-term congressman, who represents a suburban Chicago district, has secured endorsements from more than two dozen members of Congress.
Campaign spending has reflected that advantage.
According to political advertising tracking firm AdImpact, roughly $37 million has been spent supporting Krishnamoorthi’s campaign so far.
That amount is more than double the spending backing Stratton and far greater than the spending supporting Kelly.
Stratton Gains Support From Powerful Allies
Despite Krishnamoorthi’s financial edge, Stratton has gained momentum as the campaign has progressed.
The lieutenant governor previously served in the Illinois state legislature before joining Gov. Pritzker’s administration.
Her campaign has benefited from support from the governor as well as endorsements from several prominent Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.
Pritzker has also helped boost Stratton’s campaign financially. A political action committee supporting her campaign recently received $5 million from the governor.
Robin Kelly Remains Key Factor in the Race
Rep. Robin Kelly, who has represented Chicago’s South Side area in Congress for more than a decade, remains an important contender in the race.
Kelly has secured backing from the Congressional Black Caucus and influential Democratic lawmaker Rep. Jim Clyburn.
Some political observers believe Kelly’s presence in the race could divide certain voting blocs, particularly among Black voters, which could influence the final outcome.
Candidates Clash Over Immigration and Campaign Donations
As the race intensified, the leading candidates exchanged criticism during a recent candidate forum hosted by WTTW News.
Stratton challenged Krishnamoorthi over his vote supporting a congressional resolution on antisemitism that also praised law enforcement agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She also questioned campaign donations he had received from Palantir, a company that contracts with ICE.
Krishnamoorthi responded by emphasizing his immigrant background and his work in Congress holding federal agencies accountable. He also said he donated funds he received from Palantir to organizations supporting immigrant rights.
The congressman also criticized Stratton, pointing to donations connected to a political group backing her campaign that had ties to an organization overseeing an ICE detention facility. Stratton said she had called for that money to be returned.
Kelly criticized both rivals for their heated arguments, suggesting the accusations were largely political.
Few Major Policy Differences Between Candidates
Political analysts say one reason the race has remained competitive is the lack of major policy differences among the leading candidates.
Brian Gaines, a political science professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, noted that the candidates share many similar policy positions and messaging strategies.
Because of that, factors such as voter demographics, identity politics, and turnout could play a major role in determining the outcome.
Historic Possibilities in the Senate Race
The Illinois Senate race could also have historic implications.
If Stratton or Kelly wins the election, the Senate could see a record number of Black women serving simultaneously.
Currently, two Black women serve in the Senate, and only five have served in total throughout U.S. history.
If Krishnamoorthi wins, he would become just the second Indian American senator, following former California Sen. Kamala Harris.
Pritzker’s Political Influence on Display
The outcome of the race could also reveal how much political influence Gov. Pritzker holds within Illinois Democratic politics.
The governor is seeking a third term this year and has become one of the Democratic Party’s biggest financial backers nationally. His strong support for Stratton has raised the stakes for the primary.
Political observers say Pritzker will likely receive credit if Stratton wins — but could face criticism if she falls short.
Speculation has also grown that Pritzker could consider a presidential campaign in 2028.
Polling Suggests Close Race
Public polling in the Illinois Senate race has been limited, but the available surveys suggest a competitive contest.
A January poll conducted by Emerson College and WGN-TV showed Krishnamoorthi leading with 31 percent support, though a large number of voters remained undecided.
More recent internal polling from the campaigns has shown shifting leads, indicating the race could remain unpredictable until Election Day.
Democrats Expected to Hold the Seat
Although several Republicans are competing in their own primary, political experts believe the Democratic nominee will enter the general election with a strong advantage.
Illinois has voted Democratic in every Senate race since 2014, making the Democratic primary the most critical contest in determining who will replace Durbin.
Whoever wins will likely spend the months ahead preparing to take on the powerful role Durbin held for decades in Washington.
Durbin’s retirement has also triggered several additional political contests across Illinois, including primaries to replace both Krishnamoorthi and Kelly in the House of Representatives and a race to fill the lieutenant governor position if Stratton wins the Senate seat.
