Democratic candidates focus on national politics in campaign for U.S. Senate

Democratic candidates focus on national politics in campaign for U.S. Senate

(The Center Square) – Illinois’ Democratic Party candidates for U.S. Senate have focused their campaigns on opposition to Republicans and President Donald Trump.

The field formed quickly after Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced in April he would not seek reelection.

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly spoke with reporters at the Illinois State Fair and expressed her support for Texas Democrats who fled to Illinois so they could avoid voting on Texas Republicans’ congressional redistricting plans.

“I’m a fair person, but we have to fight fire with fire. That’s what they’re doing. This is no time to bring the butter knife to the fight,” Kelly said.

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton told the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association that what is happening in politics across the country is “a five-alarm fire” and the status quo will not cut it.

“The day after the last election, I stood with Gov. Pritzker and vowed to protect every Illinoisan from the darkness ahead. And what we’ve said all along remains true today: we have your backs,” Stratton said.

The lieutenant governor called Illinois a blueprint for the rest of the nation.

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said he has gone after special interests. He called Durbin “a lion” and a role model.

“I wouldn’t even begin to pretend like I could somehow replace him, but I aspire to build on his legacy of great progress,” Krishnamoorthi said.

Krishnamoorthi said he has sponsored legislation to reform the country’s broken system of legal immigration.

“For undocumented folks, giving them a path to legalization, ultimately citizenship, for TPS (Temporary Protected Status) and Dreamers doing the same, for high-skill talent, reforming the system so we don’t have one million people in queue to matriculate from an H-1B visa to a green card. It doesn’t make sense,” Krishnamoorthi said.

The filing period for the March 17, 2026, primary begins Oct. 27.

Events

26 Aug
28 Aug
28 Aug
29 Aug
30 Aug
30 Aug 25
30 Aug
30 Aug 25

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Attorney argues IL should honor TX warrants for absconding Dems

Attorney argues IL should honor TX warrants for absconding Dems

By Greg BishopThe Center Square An Illinois state senator acting as local counsel for the Texas Republicans wanting to have that state’s warrants for absconding Democrats recognized by Illinois says...
WATCH: Legislators urge return to capitol to deal with increasing Illinois energy costs

WATCH: Legislators urge return to capitol to deal with increasing Illinois energy costs

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Republicans are demanding that state legislators return to the capitol to deal with soaring energy prices....
Parental rights groups concerned over DEI in Denver teacher contract

Parental rights groups concerned over DEI in Denver teacher contract

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As Denver Public Schools move forward with finalizing a new teacher contract, parental rights groups are raising concerns about inclusion of diversity, equity, and inclusion...
Homeland Secretary: Pritzker, Johnson are protecting dangerous criminals

Homeland Secretary: Pritzker, Johnson are protecting dangerous criminals

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have arrested criminals who would still be on the streets...
Reports: DOJ probing NY AG's fraud case against Trump

Reports: DOJ probing NY AG’s fraud case against Trump

By Chris WadeThe Center Square The Justice Department has subpoenaed New York Attorney General Letitia James as part of an investigation into whether she violated President Donald Trump's civil rights...
Trump warns of 'Great Depression' if appeals court curbs tariff power

Trump warns of ‘Great Depression’ if appeals court curbs tariff power

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Friday that if an appeals court curbs his tariff authority, America could sink into a "Great Depression." The U.S. Court of...
Illinois in focus: DHS announces new facility; NFIB urges veto of regulations; minority scholarship lawsuit moves forward

Illinois in focus: DHS announces new facility; NFIB urges veto of regulations; minority scholarship lawsuit moves forward

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square DHS announces new facility U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has returned to Illinois to discuss expanding detention facilities for what...
Abbott to call 'special session after special session' in response to AWOL Dems

Abbott to call ‘special session after special session’ in response to AWOL Dems

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed what many in Austin speculated: he will call special session after special session until bills are passed. Abbott called the current...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday Aug. 8th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday Aug. 8th, 2025

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop covers the latest...
Legislator urges leaders to focus on relief for Illinois’ high property taxes

Legislator urges leaders to focus on relief for Illinois’ high property taxes

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With Illinois now being home to the highest property tax rates in the country, state Rep....
Texas House, Illinois state senator sue 33 AWOL Democrats in Illinois court

Texas House, Illinois state senator sue 33 AWOL Democrats in Illinois court

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Texas House of Representatives has sued 33 House Democrats who absconded to Illinois to prevent...
WATCH: Democrat state redistricting efforts created unfair advantages, lawmaker says

WATCH: Democrat state redistricting efforts created unfair advantages, lawmaker says

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While Democratic lawmakers from California to New York have threatened to redistrict in response to Texas'...
Illinois quick hits: Fatal helicopter crash; Comptroller orders another extra pension payment

Illinois quick hits: Fatal helicopter crash; Comptroller orders another extra pension payment

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Fatal helicopter crash Two people are dead after a helicopter crashed into a barge on the Mississippi River. The Federal Aviation...
New poll: 50.2% of Illinois voters view Pritzker unfavorably

New poll: 50.2% of Illinois voters view Pritzker unfavorably

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new poll shows that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s approval rating has flipped negative for the first time....
WATCH: Pritzker welcomes FBI looking for TX Dems in IL, dismisses bribery question

WATCH: Pritzker welcomes FBI looking for TX Dems in IL, dismisses bribery question

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the FBI gets involved in locating Texas Democrats hiding out in states like Illinois, Gov. J.B....