The 2026 United States Senate election in Illinois will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Illinois. Democratic lieutenant governor Juliana Stratton and Republican former state party chair Don Tracy are the nominees for their respective parties. Democratic incumbent Dick Durbin is not seeking a sixth term.

Primary elections were held on March 17. Supported by Governor JB Pritzker, Stratton won the Democratic nomination with 40.4% of the vote over congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and congresswoman Robin Kelly. Tracy won the Republican nomination with 40% of the vote over attorney Jeannie Evans.

This will be the first open Senate election in Illinois since 2010. Republicans have not won a Senate election in Illinois since that race.

Democratic primary On April 23, 2025, incumbent Senator Dick Durbin, who has held the seat since 1997, announced he would not seek re-election. The following day, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton launched her campaign with the immediate endorsement of Governor JB Pritzker.

Reports soon emerged that Pritzker and his allies were attempting to discourage other prominent Democrats from entering the race, particularly U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Robin Kelly, and Lauren Underwood, though Pritzker denied the claims. Kelly announced her candidacy on May 6, followed by Krishnamoorthi the next day, while Underwood declined to run and instead sought re-election to the House.

By July, Krishnamoorthi led the field in fundraising with roughly $21 million. Each of the top candidates secured significant endorsements: Stratton from suburban Democrats, state legislative leaders, and Senator Tammy Duckworth; Krishnamoorthi from local suburban officials; and Kelly from members of the Congressional Black Caucus and LGBT advocacy groups.

Krishnamoorthi emphasized his experience on the House Intelligence Committee and focused on foreign policy and economic mobility, while Stratton benefited from substantial financial backing from Pritzker and his family. Stratton pledged not to accept corporate PAC donations, although she accepted individual contributions from billionaires, whereas Krishnamoorthi and Kelly accepted corporate PAC support.

The campaign featured sharp exchanges over ties to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). By December 2025, Krishnamoorthi had raised $24 million, including donations linked to associates of President Donald Trump, Palantir, and The Heritage Foundation. Meanwhile, the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, which supported Stratton, received funding from CoreCivic, another ICE contractor.

On March 17, 2026, Stratton won the primary election with 40.4% of the vote, finishing ahead of Krishnamoorthi's 32.7% and Kelly's 18.3%.

Candidates Nominee Juliana Stratton, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois (2019–present)

Eliminated in primary Steve Botsford, former legislative staffer and candidate for Chicago City Council in 2023 Sean Brown, attorney Awisi Bustos, CEO of the Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and daughter-in-law of former U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos Jonathan Dean, solar energy entrepreneur Robin Kelly, U.S. Representative from (2013–present), former chair of the Illinois Democratic Party (2021–2022), and nominee for Illinois Treasurer in 2010 Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Representative from (2017–present) and candidate for Illinois Comptroller in 2010 Bryan Maxwell, engineer Kevin Ryan, former teacher Christopher Swann, program manager for Feeding America

Disqualified Adam Delgado, former ATF agent Anthony Williams, pastor and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022

Withdrawn John Goodman Robert Palmer

Declined Dick Durbin, incumbent U.S. Senator (1997–present) Mike Frerichs, Illinois State Treasurer (2015–present) (running for re-election) Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois Secretary of State (2023–present), former Illinois State Treasurer (2007–2011), and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2010 (running for re-election) JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois (2019–present) (running for re-election, endorsed Stratton) Kwame Raoul, Illinois Attorney General (2019–present) (running for re-election) Lauren Underwood, U.S. Representative from (2019–present) (running for re-election) Gilbert Villegas, Chicago alder from the 36th ward (2015–present) and candidate for in 2022

Endorsements

Debates and forums

2026 Illinois Democratic Senate primary debates Date Host Moderators Link Participants Participant   Absent   Non-invitee   Invitee Withdrawn Kelly Krishnamoorthi Stratton 1 January 26, 2026 WBEZ Tina Sfondeles<br/ > Sasha-Ann Simons Jennifer Steinhauer YouTubePPP 1 January 29, 2026 ABC7 Chicago Judy HsuCraig WallEnrique Rodriguez YouTubePPP 1 February 16, 2026 FOX 32 Chicago Paris Schutz YouTubePPP 1 February 19, 2026 WGN-TV Tahman BradleyMicah Materre YouTube part 1YouTube part 2PPP

WBEZ also hosted a forum with lower-polling candidates from both parties, with Democrats Steve Botsford, Sean Brown, Jonathan Dean, Bryan Maxwell, Kevin Ryan, and Christopher Swann attending.

Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handSteve Botsford (D)$372,718$372,618$100Jonathan Dean (D)$124,404$100,311$24,092Robin Kelly (D)$3,466,395$3,278,736$187,659Raja Krishnamoorthi (D)$31,390,858$28,237,935$3,152,923Brian Maxwell (D)$21,976$20,613$1,362Kevin Ryan (D)$138,950$147,814$0Juliana Stratton (D)$4,791,273$4,096,025$695,247Christopher Swann (D)$4,768$4,175$593Source: Federal Election Commission

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error RobinKelly RajaKrishnamoorthi JulianaStratton Other UndecidedVictory ResearchMarch 13–15, 2026800 (LV)± 3.5%14%32%29%–25%FM3 Research (D)March 10–12, 2026678 (LV)± 4.0%18%33%38%11%Public Policy Polling (D)March 9–10, 2026700 (LV)± 3.7%13%30%32%–25%Tulchin Research (D)March 4–8, 2026600 (LV)± 4.0%12%39%28%4%15%Change Research (D)March 3–5, 2026717 (LV)± 4.0%14%36%26%8%16%Public Policy Polling (D)March 2–3, 2026577 (LV)± 4.2%11%30%33%–26%Public Policy Polling (D)February 23–24, 2026546 (LV)± 4.2%13%29%27%–31%–32%37%–31%Tulchin Research (D)February 14–19, 2026600 (LV)± 4.0%10%42%26%6%16%Public Policy Polling (D)February 2–3, 2026574 (LV)± 4.1%8%34%23%–37%GBAO (D)January 25–28, 2026800 (LV)± 3.5%13%43%17%–27%Victory ResearchJanuary 21–25, 2026806 (LV)± 3.5%11%32%21%6%30%GBAO (D)January 8–12, 2026900 (LV)± 3.3%15%41%16%–28%Emerson College/WGN-TVJanuary 3–5, 2026568 (LV)± 4.0%8%31%10%6%46%Public Policy Polling (D)December 8–9, 2025667 (LV)± 3.8%9%32%20%–39%Change Research (D)December 4–8, 20251,007 (LV)± 3.2%7%42%14%4%33%Victory ResearchNovember 20–24, 2025– (LV)–22%29%18%3%28%Public Policy Polling (D)September 25–26, 2025576 (LV)± 4.1%8%33%18%–41%Change Research (D)September 17–19, 20251,143 (LV)± 3.0%8%41%17%–31%GBAO (D)August 12–17, 2025800 (LV)± 3.5%12%38%18%–29%Z to A Research (D)August 8–10, 2025615 (LV)± 4.0%13%51%28%–8%GBAO (D)June 5–10, 20251,200 (LV)± 2.8%14%32%19%4%31%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error RobinKelly RajaKrishnamoorthi JulianaStratton LaurenUnderwood Other Undecided May 19, 2025 Underwood declines to runPublic Policy Polling (D)April 29–30, 2025674 (LV)± 3.8%8%20%13%16%–43%GBAO (D)April 24–28, 2025800 (LV)± 3.5%8%21%13%20%9%30%314 Action (D)March 24–27, 2025773 (LV)± 3.5%10%30%16%33%–10%–32%19%39%–10%

Results

Stratton won with 40.2% of the statewide vote; she secured 47 counties, including Cook and Will counties in the state's northeast. She recorded her best result in St. Clair County, winning 54.3% of the vote. Krishnamoorthi won 53 counties, carrying DuPage, Lake and Kane counties around Chicago. He performed best in Mercer County with 59.0% of the vote. The two leading candidates tied in Jasper County, with 32.9% of the vote each. Finally, Kelly placed third in the race; however, she did win Kankakee County with 38.2% of the vote. Kelly represents a majority of Kankakee residents as congresswoman for Illinois's 2nd congressional district.

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Don Tracy, former chair of the Illinois Republican Party (2021–2024), former member of the Illinois Gaming Board (2015–2019), candidate for lieutenant governor in 2010, and brother-in-law of state senator Jil Tracy

Eliminated in primary R. Cary Capparelli, former member of the Illinois International Port District board (2000–2009) and perennial candidate Casey Chlebek, national director for the Polish American Congress PAC and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020 and 2022 Jeannie Evans, attorney Pamela Denise Long, occupational therapist Jimmy Lee Tillman, author

Disqualified Casandra Claiborne

Withdrawn John Goodman, former police officer

Declined Mike Bost, U.S. Representative from (2015–present) (running for re-election, endorsed Tracy) Rodney Davis, former U.S. representative from (2013–2023) Darin LaHood, U.S. Representative from (2015–present) (running for re-election, endorsed Tracy) Richard Porter, former member of the Republican National Committee and the Illinois State Police Merit Board

Endorsements

Debates and forums

2026 Illinois Republican Senate primary debates Date Host Moderators Link Participants Participant   Absent   Non-invitee   Invitee Withdrawn Chlebek Evans Tracy 1 February 11, 2026 ABC7 Chicago Judy HsuCraig WallEnrique Rodriguez YouTubePPP

WBEZ also hosted a forum with lower-polling candidates from both parties, with Republican Pamela Long attending.

Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handR. Cary Capparelli (R)$13,471$12,643$828Casey Chlebek (R)$202,000$201,874$27Jeannie Evans (R)$1,280,369$1,136,878$143,490Pamela Long (R)$22,288$21,309$979Don Tracy (R)$2,327,334$783,936$1,543,398Source: Federal Election Commission

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error JeannieEvans JimmyTillman DonTracy Other UndecidedEmerson College/WGN-TVJanuary 3–5, 2026432 (LV)± 4.7%3%3%6%–84%

Results

General election Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political ReportSeptember 23, 2026Decision Desk HQOctober 2, 2026The EconomistOctober 3, 2026FiftyPlusOneOctober 3, 2026Fox NewsSeptember 22, 2026Inside ElectionsOctober 1, 2026RealClearPoliticsSeptember 24, 2026Sabato's Crystal BallSeptember 22, 2026Silver BulletinOctober 3, 2026Split TicketOctober 2, 2026

Post-primary endorsements

Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handJuliana Stratton (D)$5,906,599$4,798,641$1,107,958Don Tracy (R)$2,459,890$947,466$1,512,424Source: Federal Election Commission

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error JulianaStratton (D) DonTracy (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling (D)September 30 – October 1, 2026569 (LV)49%36%15%

Results

Notes

Partisan clients

References

External links Official campaign websites Whitfield Harrington (I) Juliana Stratton (D) Don Tracy (R)