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Krishnamoorthi loses Democratic primary for U.S. Senate
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton holds a comfortable lead over Rep. Krishnamoorthi, making her a strong contender to become the sixth Black woman to serve in the Senate.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Wed, 18, Mar 2026
- 06:22 EDT
- 331
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi / REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
In a surprising turn of events, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who was the predicted frontrunner in the Democratic Senate Primary in Illinois, has lost to Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, ending his dream of being the first Indian-origin senator from Illinois.
Conceding the race to Stratton, Rep. Krishnamoorthi said, "I thank the many local Democratic leaders and county chairs across the state who had the courage to defy the party establishment and endorse the candidate with 29 letters in his name. In the classic Chicago story, I'm the guy nobody sent to be their senator... this campaign may be over, but my gratitude and friendship will be forever."
He added, " I will have almost a year remaining in the best job I've ever had, representing the good people of Illinois' 8th Congressional District, and I pledge to you tonight that I will continue to do that job to the best of my ability to fight for the kind of country we all still believe in."
Stratton holds a comfortable lead of over 70,000 votes against her primary rival Krishnamoorthi, while going to press at 11:30 PM EST. So far, Stratton holds close to 40 percent votes, Krishnamoorthi has 33 percent votes and Robin Kelly holds under 20 percent of the votes.
Krishnamoorthi, who currently represents Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, had positioned his campaign as a fight against "billionaire backers and MAGA extremists." He had also expressed his commitment to fighting for working families and standing up to what he described as extremist threats to democracy in Illinois.
Krishnamoorthi had previously received key endorsements from four Democratic Party organizations, namely, The Schaumburg Area Democratic Party, Bloomingdale Township Democratic Organization, Hanover Township Democratic Party, and Elk Grove Township Democratic Party. They had described Krishnamoorthi as the “leader Illinois needs” in the Senate while acknowledging his legislative experience as a congressman from the state.
ALSO READ: Community slams report scrutinizing donations to Krishnamoorthi’s campaign
If Krishnamoorthi had secured victory in the general election, he would have become just the second Indian American ever elected to the U.S. Senate, after Kamala Harris. His loss signals a notable change in Illinois’s political landscape and postpones what could have been a historic moment for Indian American representation in the Senate.
Stratton, the serving Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, is considered to be the progressive candidate in the Primary race. Her candidacy was backed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who had donated over $5 million, in support of Stratton's campaign.
In a seat that became vacant after Senator Dick Durbin announced his 30-year year tenure, announcing his decision to not seek re-election. Durbin's undefeated streak would help Stratton walk into the November elections as the stronger contender for office, potentially making her the sixth Black woman to serve in the Senate.
In a county wise breakup, Stratton leads in Adams, Bond, Boone, Calhoun, Champaign, Champaign, Clay, Clinton and over 40 other counties. Krihnamoorthi holds the lead in Bureau, Carroll, Cass and close to 50 counties.
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I called Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and congratulated her on winning this primary. I trust that she will continue the lasting legacy that Senator Durbin leaves behind.
— Raja Krishnamoorthi (@RajaForIL) March 18, 2026
Only in America can an immigrant with twenty-nine letters in his name go from public housing and food…
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