The race for the U.S. Senate seat long held by Dick Durbin is heating up in Illinois as voters prepare to witness a generational shift in Senate leadership in Tuesday’s primary elections. With Durbin stepping down at the end of his term, a crowded field has emerged, featuring 10 Democrats and six Republicans vying for the open seat.
### The Democratic Front-Runners
The three leading candidates for the Democratic nomination are U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, and Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
– **Raja Krishnamoorthi** has represented Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, covering Chicago’s west and northwest suburbs, since 2017. He has raised over $30 million for his campaign, making it the second highest fundraising total of any 2026 U.S. Senate candidate nationwide.
– **Juliana Stratton** has served as Gov. JB Pritzker’s lieutenant governor since 2019. She has not only secured Pritzker’s endorsement but also received more than $5 million in financial support.
– **Robin Kelly** has represented the 2nd Congressional District, which includes parts of Chicago’s South Side, south suburbs, and central Illinois, since 2013.
### General Election Outlook
Whoever wins the Democratic primary is expected to be the heavy favorite in the November general election. Since Durbin’s initial Senate victory in 1996, Illinois has elected only two Republicans to the Senate: Peter Fitzgerald (1998-2004) and Mark Kirk (2010-2016).
If Krishnamoorthi wins the primary and the general election, he would become the second Indian American ever elected to the U.S. Senate after Kamala Harris. Meanwhile, if Stratton or Kelly wins, they would become Illinois’ fourth African American U.S. Senator, joining the ranks of Carol Moseley Braun, Barack Obama, and Roland Burris.
### Dick Durbin’s Legacy and Retirement
Durbin is one of the Senate’s most senior members, currently serving as the Senate Democratic Whip and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He played a key role in the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in 2022 and also sits on the influential Senate Appropriations Committee. His retirement signals a significant leadership change within the Democratic caucus.
### Campaign Finance and Funding Battles
The race to replace Durbin is one of the most expensive Senate races in the 2026 cycle. Federal campaign finance records show that Krishnamoorthi has outraised his Democratic rivals by a wide margin, amassing more than $30 million. Stratton has raised over $4 million, while Kelly has brought in more than $3 million.
Additionally, the Illinois Future PAC has become a major player by spending over $10 million to support Stratton’s bid. Governor JB Pritzker has funded the PAC with at least $5 million.
### Tensions Over Funding in the Final Debate
Funding dominated the final Democratic debate before the primary election. Robin Kelly criticized Stratton for her campaign funding, highlighting that billionaire Gov. JB Pritzker’s family contributed 73% of her fundraising total. Kelly questioned whether Stratton felt obligated to the governor and his family.
In response, Stratton targeted Krishnamoorthi for accepting and only later returning money from a Palantir executive—a company with significant ICE contracts. She said, “Congressman, you did not even think about returning the funding until the public called for you to do so.”
Krishnamoorthi fired back by accusing Stratton of a double standard, pointing out that under her leadership of the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, the group solicited and received tens of thousands of dollars from CoreCivic, the largest private prison operator in the U.S., which runs the ICE Broadview Center.
### Looking Ahead
As Illinois voters head to the polls, the Senate race remains intensely competitive with clear generational and ideological battles shaping the outcome. The winner of Tuesday’s primary will likely set the stage for Illinois’ Senate leadership for years to come.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/illinois-us-senate-race-2026-primary-results/