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

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

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

Jack Daniel’s maker faces foreign takeover push

Jack Daniel’s maker faces foreign takeover push

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square The company that makes one of America’s most popular whiskey brands is receiving interest from both foreign and domestic buyers. Louisville-based Brown-Forman, which makes Jack...
Pritzker pushes housing plan described as 'all stick,' no carrot

Pritzker pushes housing plan described as ‘all stick,’ no carrot

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is pushing to prevent local communities from restricting housing development, but local leaders say...
Alleged attacker charged with attempted assassination of Trump

Alleged attacker charged with attempted assassination of Trump

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The man accused of storming the White House Correspondents' Associations Dinner has been charged with the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump. Cole Tomas Allen...
Republican lawmakers say shooting proves need for Trump ballroom

Republican lawmakers say shooting proves need for Trump ballroom

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square In light of the Saturday shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, congressional Republicans are calling for an end to the Department of Homeland...
White House calls for DHS funding after correspondents incident

White House calls for DHS funding after correspondents incident

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The White House on Monday called on Congress to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after shots were fired at the White House Correspondents'...
Report: $186 billion in federal payment errors likely an undercount

Report: $186 billion in federal payment errors likely an undercount

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Federal agencies made an estimated $186 billion in improper payments in fiscal year 2025, a $24 billion increase from the prior year, according to a...
Convenience store advocate: Swipe fee ruling is 'one step' in the process

Convenience store advocate: Swipe fee ruling is ‘one step’ in the process

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square *The Center Square) – The federal government has moved to partially block an Illinois law banning electronic processing fees on the tax and tip portions...
Report: Sharp ideological divide in Minnesota congressional delegation

Report: Sharp ideological divide in Minnesota congressional delegation

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A new report analyzing congressional voting records shows a clear ideological divide between Minnesota’s Republican and Democratic delegations. In its idealogical rankings, the Institute for...
White House correspondents' dinner shooter faces formal charges

White House correspondents’ dinner shooter faces formal charges

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The California man accused of charging security and shooting a Secret Service officer at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday night will appear Monday...
Deferred maintenance blamed in I-64 bridge hole

Deferred maintenance blamed in I-64 bridge hole

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State transportation officials say repairs are underway after a large hole developed on an Interstate 64...
Supreme Court strikes down Texas redistricting lawsuit, upholds new maps

Supreme Court strikes down Texas redistricting lawsuit, upholds new maps

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday struck down a challenge to Texas' new congressional maps. The court reversed Abbott v. LULAC, a case that sought...
Supreme Court to hear migrant farm worker case

Supreme Court to hear migrant farm worker case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case over the constitutional authority of federal agencies to handle migrant farmworker disputes. The case, Department of Labor...
Illinois quick hits: Convicted felon suspected of shooting two officers; Chicago Mayor orders up to $900,000 for additional peacekeepers; Belleville man faces attempted murder charge

Illinois quick hits: Convicted felon suspected of shooting two officers; Chicago Mayor orders up to $900,000 for additional peacekeepers; Belleville man faces attempted murder charge

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Convicted felony suspected of shooting two officers One Chicago police officer is dead and another was critically injured after a man...
Screenshot 2026-04-25 at 8.34.35 AM

Lincoln-Way D210 Approves $483,000 Agreement with Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, Adds Seventh Athletic Trainer

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education approved a new three-year, $483,000 contract with the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute...
New-Lenox-School-122.6

New Lenox 122 Board Approves Three-Year Contract Extension for Support Staff

New Lenox School District 122 Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education secured long-term labor stability by approving a three-year contract extension for the New Lenox Professional...