2026 United States Senate election in Illinois
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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
[edit]The primary campaign un-officially began when incumbent Senator Dick Durbin, who had served in the seat since 1997, announced that he would not seek re-election on 23 April 2025.[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 1 May, 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 continued to lead in most polls.[3] The previous day, Pritzker had denied he was discouraging others from entering the race.[4]
Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Juliana Stratton, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois (2019–present)[5]
Formed exploratory committee
[edit]- Meredith Shiner, communications consultant[6]
Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Mike Frerichs, Illinois State Treasurer (2015–present)[7]
- Robin Kelly, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 2nd congressional district (2013–present)[8]
- Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 8th congressional district (2017–present)[9]
- Lauren Underwood, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 14th congressional district (2019–present)[10]
- Christopher Swann, nonprofit executive[11]
Potential
[edit]- Daniel Biss, Mayor of Evanston (2021–present)[12]
- Rahm Emanuel, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan (2022–2025) and former mayor of Chicago (2011–2019)[13][7]
- Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois Secretary of State (2023–present), former Illinois State Treasurer (2007–2011), and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2010[14][7]
- Robert Peters, state senator from the 13th district (2019–present)[15][7]
Declined
[edit]- Nikki Budzinski, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 13th congressional district (2023–present)[14]
- Sean Casten, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 6th congressional district (2019–present)[14]
- Danny Davis, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 7th congressional district (1997–present)[14]
- Dick Durbin, incumbent U.S. Senator (1997–present)[16]
- Bill Foster, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 11th congressional district (2013–present)[14]
- Chuy García, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 4th congressional district (2019–present)[14]
- Jonathan Jackson, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 1st congressional district (2023–present)[14]
- JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois (2019–present) (endorsed Stratton)[17]
- Mike Quigley, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 5th congressional district (2009–present)[14]
- Delia Ramirez, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 3rd congressional district (2023–present)[15]
- Kwame Raoul, Illinois Attorney General (2019–present)[18]
- Jan Schakowsky, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 9th congressional district (1999–present)[14]
- Brad Schneider, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 10th congressional district (2013-2015, 2017–present)[14]
- Eric Sorensen, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 17th congressional district (2023–present)[14]
Endorsements
[edit]Juliana Stratton
- U.S. senators
- Tammy Duckworth, U.S. senator from Illinois (2017–present)[19]
- Statewide officials
- JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois (2019–present)[17]
Declined to endorse
- U.S. senators
- Dick Durbin, U.S. senator from Illinois (1997–present)[20]
Polling
[edit]Hypothetical polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Robin Kelly |
Raja Krishnamoorthi |
Juliana Stratton |
Lauren Underwood |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 314 Action (D)[21] | March 24–27, 2025 | 773 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 10% | 30% | 16% | 33% | 10% |
| – | 32% | 19% | 39% | 10% |
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- R. Cary Capparelli, former member of the Illinois International Port District board (2000–2009) and perennial candidate[22][23]
- John Goodman, former police officer[24]
Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Tom Demmer, former state representative from the 90th district (2013–2023) and nominee for state treasurer in 2022[25]
Potential
[edit]- Jim Durkin, former minority leader of the Illinois House of Representatives (2013–2023) from the 82nd district (2006–2023) and 44th district (1995–2003)[26]
- Mary Miller, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 15th congressional district (2021–present)[14]
- Rod Blagojevich, former Governor of Illinois (2003-2009) and former U.S. Representative from Illinois's 5th Congressional District (1997-2003)[27]
Declined
[edit]- Mike Bost, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 12th congressional district (2015–present)[14]
- Rodney Davis, former U.S. representative from Illinois's 13th congressional district (2013–2023)[28]
- Darin LaHood, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 16th congressional district (2015–present) (running for re-election)[29]
Fundraising
[edit]| Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| John Goodman (R) | $8,791 | $4,655 | $4,135 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[30] | |||
Independents
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Filed paperwork
[edit]- Austin Mink, writer[31]
General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[32] | Solid D | February 13, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[33] | Solid D | February 20, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[34] | Safe D | March 12, 2025 |
| Race To The WH[35] | Likely D | April 27, 2025 |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
Partisan clients
References
[edit]- ^ News, A. B. C. "Sen. Dick Durbin announces retirement after decades in Congress". ABC News. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Juliana Stratton Launches Campaign for U.S. Senate, Promising to Center 'Middle Class'". WTTW News. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Kapos, Shia (May 2, 2025). "Senate race's sharp elbows". POLITICO. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d 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
- ^ Crump, Eric (April 24, 2024). "Kelly expected to explore run for Durbin's U.S. Senate seat". Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ Vakil, Caroline (April 25, 2025). "Krishnamoorthi teases potential run for Durbin Senate seat". The Hill. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Sivak, David (April 8, 2025). "Underwood fundraising on poll results showing she'd lead the race for Durbin's seat". Capitol Fax. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ Carney, Jordain (April 15, 2025). "Generational change could be coming fast for Senate Democrats". Politico. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
- ^ Eadie, Matthew (April 24, 2025). "Will Daniel Biss run for Congress?". Evanston Now. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
- ^ Sweet, Lynn (November 23, 2024). "What's next for Rahm Emanuel?". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Huiskes, Helen (January 27, 2025). "The Race for Dick Durbin's Senate Seat Has Already Begun". NOTUS. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
- ^ a b Kapos, Shia (March 24, 2025). "Dominoes if Durbin doesn't run". Politico. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
- ^ Kulse, Carl (April 23, 2025). "Durbin, No. 2 Senate Democrat, to Retire After 44 Years in Congress". New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
- ^ a b Piekos, Christina; Wall, Craig (April 25, 2025). "Governor JB Pritzker endorses Juliana Stratton for Senate". WLS-TV. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Kapos, Shia; Mutnick, Ally (April 28, 2025). "Tammy Duckworth backs Juliana Stratton for Dick Durbin's Illinois Senate seat". Politico. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ 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."
- ^ "NEW POLL: Representative Lauren Underwood Leads Illinois Senate Primary if Durbin Retires". Politico. April 8, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
- ^ WAND Digital Team (April 28, 2025). "Capparelli to seek Republican Senate nomination". WAND-TV. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ Placek, Christopher (August 13, 2019). "Longtime lawmaker's son could face Stephens for state House seat". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on April 28, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ Gotthelf, Eli (March 19, 2025). "John Goodman: The warrior for Israel running for Senate in Illinois – Is he on his way to conversion?". JFeed. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ Kapos, Shia (April 24, 2025). "Juliana Stratton jumps in the Senate race". Politico. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
- ^ Kaufmann, Justin (April 23, 2025). "Sen. Dick Durbin announces he won't seek reelection in 2026". Axios. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
- ^ McCue, Cullen (April 26, 2025). "NEW: Former Dem Governor Turned Trump Ally Hints At Republican Senate Bid". Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ Solender, Andrew (April 23, 2025). "Inside Democrats' potentially bitter primary fight to replace Dick Durbin". Axios. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "2026 Election United States Senate - Illinois". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
- ^ "Statement Of Candidacy" (PDF). January 22, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
- ^ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
External links
[edit] | This article needs additional or more specific categories. (January 2025) |