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2026 United States Senate election in Illinois

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For related races, see 2026 United States Senate elections.
Not to be confused with 2026 Illinois Senate election.

2026 United States Senate election in Illinois
← 2020 November 3, 2026 2032 →
 
Party Democratic Republican
Incumbent U.S. senator

Dick Durbin
Democratic



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The 2026 United States Senate election in Illinois will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Illinois. Incumbent Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, who was re-elected in 2020 with 54.9% of the vote, declined to seek a sixth term in office. This will be the first open Senate seat race in Illinois since 2010 and the first for this Class II seat since 1996, when Durbin was first elected.

Democratic primary

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On April 23, 2025, incumbent Senator Dick Durbin, who has served in the seat since 1997, announced that he would not seek re-election.[1] One day later, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton declared her candidacy, becoming the first to do so; she received the immediate endorsement of Governor JB Pritzker.[2]

On May 1, NBC 5 Chicago reported that Pritzker and his allies were attempting to dissuade other prominent Democrats from entering the primary, in particular U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Robin Kelly and Lauren Underwood. Krishnamoorthi had already raised $19 million by then while Underwood led in some polls.[3] The previous day, Pritzker had denied he was discouraging others from entering the race.[4] On May 6, Kelly announced her campaign.[5] The next day, Krishnamoorthi entered the race.[6] Underwood would ultimately decline to run in the primary on 19 May, opting instead to run for re-election in her 14th Congressional district.[7]

By July, Krishnamoorthi had amassed the largest war chest of about $21 million. The three most notable candidates have earned numerous high-level endorsements as well; Stratton received the endorsements of many suburban Democrats and leaders in the State House along with figures like Senator Tammy Duckworth, Krishnamoorthi has garnered primarily local support from suburban towns, while Kelly was endorsed by much of the Congressional Black Caucus as well as gun violence prevention and LGBT advocacy groups.[8]

All three candidates have highlighted negative effects of the "Big Beautiful Bill" that was signed into law on 4 July 2025 after it was passed by the Republican majority in both houses of Congress.[9] Krishnamoorthi argued that his experience on the House Intelligence Committee would allow him to effectively engage in foreign policy matters, such as issues with China, while in the Senate. He has also sought to prioritize economic mobility as a main issue, seeking to appeal to middle-class voters.[10] His campaign aired its first television ad on 15 July, which avoided directly attacking his main opponents, Kelly and Stratton.[11] Stratton has received the financial backing of Governor JB Pritzker, who donated the maximum amount allowed in an election cycle for an individual contribution under FEC rules. Other members of the Pritzker family also contributed to the Stratton campaign. Kelly, who had run against Pritzker-backed candidates in races for the state party’s chairmanship, claimed that money alone would not decide the election outcome.[12] Stratton has stated that she will not accept Corporate PAC donations while Krishnamoorthi and Kelly have received such donations.[13][14]

Candidates

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Declared

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Filed paperwork

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  • Stanley Leavell[19]
  • Austin James Mink, writer[20]
  • Christopher Swann[21]

Formed exploratory committee

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  • Meredith Shiner, communications consultant[22]

Publicly expressed interest

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Potential

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Declined

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Endorsements

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Robin Kelly
U.S. representatives
Local officials
Organizations
Raja Krishnamoorthi
Executive branch officials
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Local officials
Organizations
Labor Unions
Juliana Stratton
U.S. senators
Statewide officials
State legislators
Local officials
Individuals
Declined to endorse
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives

Fundraising

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Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2025
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Robin Kelly (D) $2,458,390 $253,466 $2,204,924
Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) $12,666,604 $907,898 $11,758,706
Juliana Stratton (D) $1,083,703 $417,286 $666,416
Source: Federal Election Commission[52]

Polling

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Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[c] 		Margin
of error 		Robin
Kelly 		Raja
Krishnamoorthi 		Juliana
Stratton 		Other Undecided
GBAO (D)[53][A] June 5–10, 2025 1,200 (LV) ± 2.8% 14% 32% 19% 4% 31%
Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[c] 		Margin
of error 		Robin
Kelly 		Raja
Krishnamoorthi 		Juliana
Stratton 		Lauren
Underwood 		Other Undecided
May 19, 2025 Underwood declines to run
Public Policy Polling (D)[54][B] April 29–30, 2025 674 (LV) ± 3.8% 8% 20% 13% 16% – 43%
GBAO (D)[55][A] April 24–28, 2025 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 8% 21% 13% 20% 9%[d] 30%
314 Action (D)[56] March 24–27, 2025 773 (LV) ± 3.5% 10% 30% 16% 33% – 10%
– 32% 19% 39% – 10%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Declared

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Publicly expressed interest

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Potential

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Declined

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Fundraising

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Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2025
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Doug Bennett (R) $13,000 $16,090 $1,611
Casey Chlebek (R) $25,000 $11,505 $13,495
John Goodman (R) $27,194 $22,310 $4,884
Source: Federal Election Commission[52]

General election

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Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[67] Solid D February 13, 2025
Inside Elections[68] Solid D February 20, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball[69] Safe D March 12, 2025
Race To The WH[70] Likely D April 27, 2025

Notes

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  1. ^ Jackson was part of a coalition of elected officials who endorsed Kelly, but he later stated his intention to stay neutral in the primary.[35]
  2. ^
  3. ^ a b Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  4. ^ "Other" with 5%; Mike Frerichs with 4%

Partisan clients

  1. ^ a b Poll sponsored by Krishnamoorthi's campaign
  2. ^ Poll sponsored by the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, which supports Stratton

References

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  1. ^ Pecorin, Allison (April 23, 2025). "Sen. Dick Durbin announces retirement after decades in Congress". ABC News. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  2. ^ "Juliana Stratton Launches Campaign for U.S. Senate, Promising to Center 'Middle Class'". WTTW News. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  3. ^ Ahern, Mary Ann; Schmidt, Rose (May 1, 2025). "Sources: Pritzker team calls congresswoman 'damaged goods,' seeking to stop potential Senate run". NBC Chicago. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  4. ^ Kapos, Shia (May 2, 2025). "Senate race's sharp elbows". POLITICO. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Schultz, Paris (May 6, 2025). "U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly launches Senate bid to succeed Dick Durbin". WFLD. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Lesniewski, Niels (May 7, 2025). "Krishnamoorthi joins Illinois Senate race". Roll Call. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Rep. Lauren Underwood says she won't seek Dick Durbin Senate seat". Chicago Sun-Times. May 19, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  8. ^ Ahern, Mary Ann; Schmidt, Rose (July 14, 2025). "In heated race, who has the advantage in seeking Sen. Dick Durbin's seat". WMAQ-TV. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  9. ^ Szalinski, Ben (July 11, 2025). "Trump's 'big bill' takes center stage in Illinois' U.S. Senate race". Capitol News Illinois. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  10. ^ Szalinski, Ben (July 14, 2025). "Economic mobility top priority of Krishnamoorthi's Senate campaign". Capitol News Illinois. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  11. ^ "Raja Krishnamoorthi airs first TV ad of long Senate primary fight for Illinois Democrats". Chicago Sun-Times. July 15, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  12. ^ Szalinski, Ben (July 16, 2025). "Who is contributing to Illinois' U.S. Senate candidates?". Capitol News Illinois. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  13. ^ Szalinski, Ben (July 16, 2025). "Who is contributing to Illinois' U.S. Senate candidates?". Capitol News Illinois. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  14. ^ Ahern, Mary Ann; Schmidt • •, Rose (July 14, 2025). "In heated race, who has the advantage in seeking Sen. Dick Durbin's seat". NBC Chicago. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  15. ^ Schilke, Rachel (June 12, 2025). "Cheri Bustos denounces daughter-in-law's Illinois Senate run to succeed Durbin". Washington Examiner. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  16. ^ Hinton, Dave (July 24, 2025). "Illinois grad ex-Marine seeking Durbin's U.S. Senate seat". The News-Gazette. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  17. ^ Sfondeles, Tina (April 24, 2025). "Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton becomes first major Democrat to launch Senate bid to replace Durbin". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  18. ^ a b c Kapos, Shia (June 20, 2025). "Who Pritzker could pick for his No. 2". Politico. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  19. ^ "LEAVELL, STANLEY MR. - Candidate overview". FEC.gov. January 1, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  20. ^ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1890900". docquery.fec.gov. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  21. ^ "SWANN, CHRISTOPHER ALEXANDER - Candidate overview". FEC.gov. January 1, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  22. ^ Shiner, Meredith (February 3, 2025). "Primary Every Democrat". The New Republic. ISSN 0028-6583. Retrieved February 6, 2025. Today, it brings me no pleasure to announce that I am launching an exploratory committee for a Senate run to replace the senior senator from my home state, Dick Durbin.
  23. ^ a b c Epstein, Reid J. (May 12, 2025). "In Illinois Senate Race, Old Grudges and a Test of Pritzker's Power". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  24. ^ Carney, Jordain (April 15, 2025). "Generational change could be coming fast for Senate Democrats". Politico. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  25. ^ Pearson, Rick (April 23, 2025). "US Sen. Dick Durbin's retirement opens the floodgates for a number of potential successors". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 25, 2025. State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said he is weighing a bid for Durbin's seat and other Democrats have floated the names of first-term Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, state Sen. Robert Peters of Chicago and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Huiskes, Helen (January 27, 2025). "The Race for Dick Durbin's Senate Seat Has Already Begun". NOTUS. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  27. ^ Kulse, Carl (April 23, 2025). "Durbin, No. 2 Senate Democrat, to Retire After 44 Years in Congress". New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  28. ^ "Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs not running for US Senate". WLS-TV. May 5, 2025. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  29. ^ Miller, Rich (May 30, 2025). "Sizzling hot campaign season forecast for Chicago and Illinois". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved June 4, 2025. "I'm running for reelection," Giannoulias bluntly replied.
  30. ^ a b Piekos, Christina; Wall, Craig (April 25, 2025). "Governor JB Pritzker endorses Juliana Stratton for Senate". WLS-TV. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  31. ^ Kapos, Shia (March 24, 2025). "Dominoes if Durbin doesn't run". Politico. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  32. ^ Hancock, Peter (April 1, 2025). "Raoul says 'I do not want to go to Washington,' rules out bid for U.S. Senate". Capitol News Illinois. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  33. ^ Sfondeles, Tina (May 23, 2025). "Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with a leading role in fighting Trump, says, 'We are winning'". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Kapos, Shia (May 12, 2025). "Rahm teams up with fired Navy chief". Politico.
  35. ^ a b Petrella, Dan (May 15, 2025). "US Rep. Jonathan Jackson not endorsing colleague Robin Kelly in her bid to succeed Dick Durbin in Senate". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  36. ^ a b c Kapos, Shia (June 4, 2025). "Welch on transit, energy, da Bears". Politico.
  37. ^ a b c "Local leaders endorsing Raja include:". Politico. July 14, 2025. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  38. ^ a b "ASPIRE PAC Endorses Raja Krishnamoorthi for Senate". ASPIRE PAC. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  39. ^ a b Jha, Lalit (May 29, 2025). "Latino leaders endorse Indian-American Congressman Krishnamoorthi for US Senate in Illinois". The Tribune. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  40. ^ Kapos, Shia (July 1, 2025). "Illinois boosts library funds as feds cut them". Politico. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  41. ^ a b c d e Kapos, Shia (June 3, 2025). "Corn farmers tip hats to Rahm Emanuel". Politico. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  42. ^ Kapos, Shia (May 22, 2025). "Mayor calls Trump a 'monster'". Politico. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  43. ^ Bradley, Tahman (May 12, 2025). "Rep. Kelly takes campaign for Durbin's seat to City Club of Chicago". WGN-TV. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  44. ^ Kapos, Shia; Mutnick, Ally (April 28, 2025). "Tammy Duckworth backs Juliana Stratton for Dick Durbin's Illinois Senate seat". Politico. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  45. ^ Moseley Braun, Carol (May 7, 2025). "PERSPECTIVE: Why I'm endorsing Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton for United States Senate". The Triibe. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  46. ^ "Endorsing Juliana Stratton". Politico. May 29, 2025. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  47. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Illinois state senators endorsing Juliana Stratton for U.S. Senate". Politico. July 15, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  48. ^ a b c d e f Kapos, Shia (May 16, 2025). "Crespo 'disappointed' at his ouster". Politico. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  49. ^ Kapos, Shia (July 15, 2025). "First big ad in the Senate race". Politico. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  50. ^ Kapos, Shia (June 6, 2025). "Conway's big money moves". Politico. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  51. ^ McKinney, Dave (April 23, 2025). "Longtime Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin won't seek reelection". WBEZ. Durbin said he does not intend to endorse a candidate in the primary — unless he thinks something emerges that 'is serious and I need to address it.'
  52. ^ a b "2026 Election United States Senate - Illinois". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  53. ^ "Raja Leads by 13 in Illinois U.S. Senate Primary". GBAO. June 17, 2025. Retrieved June 18, 2025 – via Politico.
  54. ^ Williams, Jim (May 2, 2025). "Democratic Primary for U.S. Senate in Illinois is Wide Open – Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton Benefits from Endorsements" (PDF). Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  55. ^ Manchester, Julia [@JuliaManch] (May 19, 2025). "NEW internal polling memo from Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi shows him leading a three-way race in the Illinois Senate primary. This follows Rep. Lauren Underwood's announcement that she will not run in the primary #ILSen" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  56. ^ "NEW POLL: Representative Lauren Underwood Leads Illinois Senate Primary if Durbin Retires". Politico. April 8, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  57. ^ a b Cowan, Richard (April 23, 2025). "Democratic US Senator Dick Durbin to retire, sparking competitive Illinois primary". Reuters. Retrieved May 16, 2025. Republicans who so far have announced their candidacy include Doug Bennett, who has held a local government position and is a former candidate for a U.S. House seat; and John Goodman, an Air Force veteran who has worked in law enforcement.
  58. ^ "Capparelli to seek Republican Senate nomination". WAND-TV. April 28, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  59. ^ "Who will fill Dick Durbin's US Senate seat in Illinois? Here are the candidates". Chicago Tribune. May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025. Others who have filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission stating their interest in running for the Senate seat were Democrats Christopher Alexander Swann, Stanley Leavell and Austin James Mink; Republicans John Goodman, Casimer Chlebek and Douglas Bennett; independent Anthony Smith and Joseph David Schilling.
  60. ^ Bricker, Logan (May 22, 2025). "Charting her course as a 'Big Tent' Republican". Illinois Times. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  61. ^ Kapos, Shia (April 24, 2025). "Juliana Stratton jumps in the Senate race". Politico. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  62. ^ Pyke, Marni (May 6, 2025). "Robin Kelly enters U.S. Senate primary". Daily Herald. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  63. ^ Kaufmann, Justin (April 23, 2025). "Sen. Dick Durbin announces he won't seek reelection in 2026". Axios. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  64. ^ Solender, Andrew (April 23, 2025). "Inside Democrats' potentially bitter primary fight to replace Dick Durbin". Axios. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  65. ^ "Paul Nolley looks to unseat LaHood with bid to represent Illinois' 16th District". WIFR-LD. April 29, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025. During an interview with WIFR on Tuesday, April 29, LaHood says he "absolutely" plans to re-run for the seat.
  66. ^ Kapos, Shia (August 4, 2025). "Texas showdown comes to Illinois". Politico. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  67. ^ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  68. ^ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  69. ^ "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  70. ^ "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
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Official campaign websites
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