22 candidates vying for Illinois’ Democrat, Republican U.S. Senate primary

22 candidates vying for Illinois’ Democrat, Republican U.S. Senate primary

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – Some of the 22 candidates vying for their party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Dick Durbin say their focus is on kitchen table issues.

Filing for Republicans and Democrats to get on the March 17 primary ballot has closed. Twenty-two people filed for the seat. Democratic U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi filed his on the first day.

“Prices are out of control for so many different items, whether it’s food, whether it’s rent, whether it is electricity or health care,” Krishnamoorthi said on Oct. 27.

Krishnamoorthi, D-Schaumburg, already has a pending objection to his petitions. He potentially faces 13 candidates if they survive objections.

Republican candidate Don Tracy also focused on economic issues.

“One of the reasons why I’m running for the Senate is to reduce the cost of living for all illinoisans, especially working families,” Tracy told The Center Square Tuesday. “And health care is one of the drivers of the cost of living increases.”

Tracy turned his petitions in on Friday, joining seven other candidates vying for the Republican nomination.

Durbin, D-Springfield, announced in the spring he was not seeking another term. He’s been in Congress since 1983 and a U.S. senator since 1997.

Krishnamoorthi said he’s stood up to bullies in his career

“I’ve gone after them, gotten results, and now I need to stand up to perhaps the biggest bully we face of all – Donald Trump,” he said.

Tracy said with the Senate seat being a statewide election that can’t be gerrymandered, he feels Republicans have a good chance of securing the spot in November.

“And I happen to think I am that person because I’ve got statewide experience both running statewide in 2010 [as a lieutenant governor candidate] and also being chair of the Illinois Republican Party for three and a half years,” Tracy said.

The objection window is open for challenging petition signatures. That closes Nov. 10.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Screenshot 2025-12-05 at 11.56.48 AM

Tensions Flare as Board Members Clash Over Budget Process and Protocol

Will County Board Meeting | December 4, 2025 Article Summary: A special meeting intended to fix a budget error turned contentious as board members traded accusations regarding transparency, meeting conduct,...
Screenshot 2025-12-05 at 11.57.25 AM

Will County Board Approves $2.7 Million Reserve Draw to Finalize 0% Tax Levy

Will County Board Meeting | December 4, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board unanimously voted to transfer approximately $2.78 million from cash reserves to balance the fiscal year 2026...
Netflix buys Burbank-based Warner Bros. for $72 billion

Netflix buys Burbank-based Warner Bros. for $72 billion

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The multibillion dollar question of who’s buying Warner Bros. was answered Friday when Netflix announced its purchase of the iconic Burbank studio. After a weeks-long...

IL Sec of State criticizes TSA fee option, extends REAL ID facility lease

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is criticizing the federal government’s plan to offer travelers without proper...
Illinois quick hits: US Steel reopening Granite City furnace; unemployment down slightly

Illinois quick hits: US Steel reopening Granite City furnace; unemployment down slightly

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square US Steel reopening Granite City furnace U.S. Steel says customer demand has driven the company to begin the process of restarting...
WATCH: Gun ban with SCOTUS; ICE enforcement pushback; End of life options bill with gov

WATCH: Gun ban with SCOTUS; ICE enforcement pushback; End of life options bill with gov

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 reviews the status...
Mokena Park District.logo.graphic.5

Park Board Advances Tax Levy Plan and Sets Public Hearing for November

Mokena Community Park District Board Meeting | October 2025 Article Summary: The Mokena Community Park District Board of Commissioners approved a preliminary property tax levy that captures potential new growth...
U.S. Supreme Court takes up Michigan foreclosure case

U.S. Supreme Court takes up Michigan foreclosure case

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A Michigan family’s decades-long fight over a property seizure will soon be before the U.S. Supreme Court, marking the latest high-stakes challenge to how counties...
Grand jury declines to re-indict Letitia James

Grand jury declines to re-indict Letitia James

By Chris WadeThe Center Square The Justice Department has reportedly failed to secure a new indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James in a blow to the Trump administration's...
U.S. Supreme Court upholds Texas' new congressional maps

U.S. Supreme Court upholds Texas’ new congressional maps

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday handed Texas a win in a challenge to its new congressional redistricting maps, granting a stay of a lower...
In last four years, five northern states saw most illegal crossings

In last four years, five northern states saw most illegal crossings

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Under the Biden administration, the greatest number of illegal border crossers at the U.S.-Canada border were reported in U.S. history, breaking records nearly every month...
Report: Hegseth violated multiple protocols and federal law in 'Signalgate'

Report: Hegseth violated multiple protocols and federal law in ‘Signalgate’

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Secretary of War Pete Hegseth violated multiple protocols and federal law in the “Signalgate” affair in March, according to Pentagon watchdog the Office of Inspector...
Illinois quick hits: Another attack on CTA passenger; plaintiffs move to dismiss their ICE use of force case

Illinois quick hits: Another attack on CTA passenger; plaintiffs move to dismiss their ICE use of force case

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Another attack on CTA passenger Illinois House Republicans say the SAFE-T Act continues to fail Illinois residents after a suspect with...
Some push for FDA approval of psychedelic treatments for veterans

Some push for FDA approval of psychedelic treatments for veterans

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square State leaders across the country are pushing for medical trials of the psychedelic drug ibogaine to treat neurological conditions. Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry spoke...

WATCH: Pritzker: ‘No’ to state taxpayer-funded guaranteed income

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he is not planning to follow Cook County by implementing a guaranteed income...