Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) is running for Senate to succeed outgoing Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), boasting a multimillion-dollar war chest as he seeks to dominate in a competitive Democratic primary.
In a Wednesday press release shared with the Washington Examiner, Krishnamoorthi called Durbin a “titan.” Durbin, 80, announced he wouldn’t seek reelection in late April, passing on a sixth term in the Senate.
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“I am deeply humbled by the encouragement I have received from friends, family members, and community leaders encouraging me, a fellow son of downstate, to run for the U.S. Senate,” Krishnamoorthi said.
Krishnamoorthi will be a formidable Democratic opponent in the primary, as he has a war chest of $19 million and raised $3 million in the first quarter of 2025. Many Republicans and independents also respect him given his work in Congress and status as ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, which could be helpful in a general election.
The seat was rated “solid Democrat” by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report when Durbin was still running. In a blue state that hasn’t elected a Republican senator since 2010, it is unlikely the seat will be a Republican pickup.
Krishnamoorthi has at least two competitive Democratic primary opponents: Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who has already received an endorsement from Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL), and Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL), who announced her bid on Tuesday morning.
Stratton will be a strong primary contender, particularly with the backing of Pritzker, who is heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune. However, his endorsement will be a test of how much weight he carries in a significant national election, such as the U.S. Senate, particularly as speculation circles that he may be preparing for a presidential run.
Kelly has built relationships across the state as the former state Democratic chairwoman. She has also experience in winning tough primaries, defeating 15 other candidates in a special election to replace former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), co-chairwoman of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, is also mulling a bid. Ahead of Durbin’s announcement, she sent out a fundraising plea telling supporters she was “gearing up and getting ready” after a 314 Action poll found her statistically tied with Krishnamoorthi in a four-way race, 33% to 30%, respectively.
“Congresswoman Underwood is always thinking about the best way to serve her constituents, and as she’s heard from folks across the state who are hungry for the next generation of effective leadership in the United States Senate, she’s carefully considering her next steps,” an Underwood campaign spokesperson told the Washington Examiner.
Krishnamoorthi, who was Barack Obama’s policy director in 2004, won election to his House seat in 2016. He said in a video he plans to be a strong voice for Illinois, pushing back against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who has championed the Department of Government Efficiency.
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“I’ve made it my mission to fight for families like the ones I grew up with. People who just want a chance to work hard and realize their dreams,” Krishnamoorthi said in his campaign video. “So I’ll never be quiet while billionaires like Elon Musk and a convicted felon deny the dreams of the next generation for their own egos and personal profit.”
Krishnamoorthi will hold his first official campaign events in Peoria, Chicago, and Schaumburg beginning Friday.
The congressman’s decision to seek higher office leaves House Democrats with yet another open seat to defend in what is sure to be a close election for control of the House. Democrats only need a net gain of three seats to win back the majority, but several incumbents have chosen to seek a statewide executive office or Senate seat, including members in competitive seats.
Krishnamoorthi’s seat is not considered a toss-up, but the lack of an incumbent in Illinois’s 8th Congressional District could give Republicans an opening. Republicans held the seat for one term, until now-Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) beat out Krishnamoorthi in a primary and went on to defeat former Rep. Joe Walsh in the 2012 elections.