The race for U.S. Senate next year is heating up here in Illinois, but who has the advantage in the hotly contested race?
At this point, three Democrats are vying for the chance to replace U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, racking up endorsements and financial contributions in the lead-up to the March primary.
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Media outlets and politicos will know more later this week after the latest campaign finance reports are made public. Right now, suburban U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi has the biggest war chest, boasting a haul of $21 million. U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly has $2.45 million in the bank. Lt Gov. Juliana Stratton has more than a million dollars, but that could easily increase with one check from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who has pledged his support for her campaign.
Stratton said she won’t take corporate PAC money.
At an event in Proviso Township Monday, Stratton received the support of Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, and other south suburban Democrats.
Stratton also has already secured the support of U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun.
Not to be undone, Krishnamoorthi announced endorsements of his own on Monday, earning the backing of more than 40 local leaders, including several from Schaumburg, the suburban village where he lives.
Kelly recently touted endorsements from gun violence prevention leaders and the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, plus LGBTQ leaders like former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
On the other side of the aisle, several names have been floated on the Republican side to run for Durbin’s Senate seat. Insiders said Richard Porter is considering a bid. Porter’s largely been behind the scenes, working as a suburban attorney and former Republican national committeeman. He also worked for former President George W Bush’s administration as a domestic policy adviser to the president and counselor to former Vice President Dan Quayle.
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U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood is also eyeing the Senate race, but he would have to give up his congressional seat to do so. He has also been rumored to be eyeing a run for Illinois governor, but will make his decision in coming weeks.
The last Illinois Republican to serve in the Senate was Mark Kirk. He lost re-election to Duckworth in 2016.
