who is running for senate in illinois
Here’s a quick, current snapshot of who is running for U.S. Senate in Illinois in 2026 , focused on the race to replace retiring Senator Dick Durbin.
Quick Scoop: Illinois 2026 Senate Race
With Senator Dick Durbin retiring at the end of his term, the 2026 Illinois U.S. Senate race is a rare open-seat contest and has attracted a large field in both parties.
Democratic candidates
These are the key Democrats who have entered the race or are listed as declared candidates:
- Juliana Stratton – Lieutenant governor of Illinois since 2019; backed by Gov. JB Pritzker and other state leaders, emphasizing Medicare for all, higher minimum wage, and voting rights.
- Robin Kelly – U.S. Representative (IL‑02) since 2013, former state party chair, known for work on gun violence prevention.
- Raja Krishnamoorthi – U.S. Representative (IL‑08) since 2017, has built a large campaign war chest and strong suburban support.
- Awisi Bustos – CEO of the Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and daughter‑in‑law of former Rep. Cheri Bustos, running as a “long‑shot” contender focused on youth and communities.
- Anthony Williams – Pastor who previously ran for Senate as a Republican, now a lesser‑known Democratic primary candidate.
- Steve Botsford Jr. – Former congressional staffer and 2023 Chicago City Council candidate, focusing on credit card interest caps, breaking up monopolies, and banning stock trading in Congress.
- Kevin Ryan – Chicago Public Schools teacher and Marine veteran, campaigning for campaign‑finance limits, term limits, Medicare for all, and abolishing ICE and the death penalty.
- Christopher Swann – Deacon and nonprofit program manager at Feeding America, emphasizing Palestinian independence, anti‑poverty income support, and Medicare for all.
There are additional lesser‑known Democrats listed in full candidate rosters, but the names above are the most prominently covered so far.
Republican candidates
Republicans are also contesting the open seat, with a mix of activists, party figures, and prior candidates:
- Dr. Pamela Denise Long – Occupational therapist and commentator; supports finishing Trump’s border wall, restricting Ukraine aid, replacing income tax with a national consumption tax, and limiting abortion access.
- Dr. Jimmy Lee Tillman II – Author and founder of the Martin Luther King Republicans, emphasizing border security, restrictions on transgender women in women’s sports, and cutting government spending.
- Cary Capparelli – Listed as a Republican candidate in public radio election coverage.
- Casey Chlebek – Also listed among GOP contenders.
- Jeannie Evans – Named as a Republican primary candidate.
- Don Tracy – Long‑time Republican figure, mentioned as a U.S. Senate candidate; has backing from some sitting GOP members of Congress.
Public‑radio election coverage notes six Republican candidates in total in the primary, including the names above.
Notable context and “who’s out”
- Dick Durbin – The incumbent senator has declined to run again, creating this open race.
- Several prominent Illinois Democrats and Republicans (statewide officeholders and members of Congress) have publicly ruled out Senate bids and are running for reelection to their current offices instead.
At‑a‑glance table (major names)
| Party | Candidate | Current/Recent Role | Notable Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | Juliana Stratton | Lieutenant governor | Medicare for all, higher minimum wage, voting rights, middle‑class tax relief | [5][1]
| Democrat | Robin Kelly | U.S. Representative (IL‑02) | Gun violence prevention, party leadership background | [5][7]
| Democrat | Raja Krishnamoorthi | U.S. Representative (IL‑08) | Large fundraising lead, suburban support | [5][7]
| Democrat | Awisi Bustos | Nonprofit CEO | Youth programs, community investment | [7][5]
| Republican | Pamela Denise Long | Occupational therapist, commentator | Border wall, Ukraine aid limits, consumption tax, abortion restrictions | [1][2]
| Republican | Jimmy Lee Tillman II | Author, MLK Republicans founder | Border security, spending cuts, trans sports restrictions | [1][2]
| Republican | Don Tracy | GOP leader/activist | Backed by some Illinois Republicans in Congress | [2][7]
A quick “story” view
Think of this race as a three‑way Democratic drama at the top: the sitting lieutenant governor with establishment backing, versus two well‑funded House members with their own bases and endorsements. On the Republican side, it’s more of an ideological audition , with several candidates arguing over who best represents Trump‑aligned priorities on immigration, taxes, and social issues.
Because it’s an open seat in a blue‑leaning state, the Democratic primary is expected to be the main battlefield, while Republicans hope that a favorable national environment or a strong nominee could turn it into a real general‑election fight.
TL;DR: A long list of Democrats and Republicans are running to replace retiring Senator Dick Durbin in 2026, with Juliana Stratton, Robin Kelly, and Raja Krishnamoorthi leading the Democratic field and Pamela Denise Long, Jimmy Lee Tillman II, and Don Tracy among the better‑known Republicans.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.