Illinois Voters Set to Decide Key Democratic Primaries in 2026
On Tuesday, Illinois voters will cast their ballots in a series of high-stakes Democratic primaries, including a crowded race for the US Senate seat left open by the retirement of longtime senator Dick Durbin. The Midwestern state is also nominating candidates for five open congressional districts, with the outcomes likely to determine the winners in the November general election due to the state's Democratic-leaning nature.
US Senate Race: A Three-Way Battle
The Democratic primary for US Senate features ten candidates, with three major contenders leading the pack. US Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, along with Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, are vying for the nomination. Krishnamoorthi, a moderate Democrat part of the House's New Democrat Coalition, leads in most polls and has raised over $30 million, making him one of the top fundraisers this cycle. However, his donor base, which includes Trump supporters and individuals aligned with India's nationalist movement, has raised questions about his political allegiances.
Stratton, a progressive endorsed by Governor JB Pritzker, has gained momentum recently, bolstered by a cash infusion from Pritzker to the Illinois Future PAC, which is running pro-Stratton advertisements. Kelly, serving the second congressional district since 2013, remains a key contender, with outside groups like the Indian American Impact Fund running ads to support her candidacy as a strategy to counter Stratton's rise.
Congressional District Contests
With Kelly and Krishnamoorthi running for Senate, their congressional seats are now open, leading to competitive primaries. In the second congressional district, which favors Democrats and has a majority Black population, ten Democrats are competing. Notable candidates include Jesse Jackson Jr., seeking a comeback after resigning in 2012, and Donna Miller, a Cook County commissioner with significant funding from donors linked to Aipac.
The ninth congressional district sees a staggering 15-candidate primary, featuring progressive content creator Kat Abughazaleh, moderate state senator Laura Fine backed by Aipac-affiliated groups, and Evanston mayor Daniel Biss, who leads in polls. Biss, a progressive with experience in the Illinois legislature, is seen as a strong contender, while Fine's ties to Aipac could influence voter sentiment.
Other races include the seventh congressional district, where 13 candidates are vying to replace retiring representative Danny Davis, and the eighth district, with eight Democrats competing for Krishnamoorthi's open seat. In the fourth district, controversy arose when representative Jesús "Chuy" García announced his retirement simultaneously with his chief of staff entering the race, prompting criticism for undermining electoral fairness.
Outside Influence and Funding
Massive infusions of money from outside groups, including those affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac), are playing a significant role in these races. For instance, Aipac-linked groups are spending millions on advertisements, supporting candidates like Melissa Conyears-Ervin in the seventh district and Laura Fine in the ninth district. Additionally, crypto-aligned super PAC Fairshake is backing progressive candidates such as Robert Peters in the second district and La Shawn Ford in the seventh district.
State-level races, including the governorship, are also on the ballot, with JB Pritzker running unopposed for a third term. The winners of these primaries could secure long careers in office, similar to Durbin's 29-year tenure, given Illinois's reliably Democratic voting patterns.
