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Community groups laud Krishnamoorthi’s senate campaign despite setback
Community organizations cited advocacy and representation after Illinois primary
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Malvika Choudhary - Wed, 18, Mar 2026
- 17:53 EDT
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Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. / Lalit K Jha
Indian American community organizations lauded Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, praising his Senate bid and reaffirming support for his public service record despite his loss in the Democratic primary.
Krishnamoorthi lost the Democratic primary on March 17 to Juliana Stratton, who secured the nomination in a closely watched race to succeed retiring Senator Dick Durbin.
Also Read: Krishnamoorthi loses Democratic primary for U.S. Senate
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) thanked Krishnamoorthi “for an incredible decade as a member of U.S. Congress” and noted that he came “so close to taking the Hindu American community to the U.S. Senate.”
In a statement posted on social media, the organization described him as “a steadfast voice for Hindu Americans in the halls of Congress,” citing his efforts to address hate crimes and attacks on mandirs.
HAF said Krishnamoorthi had repeatedly pressed the U.S. Department of Justice to respond to such incidents and led a congressional letter seeking a federal strategy briefing on protecting Hindu communities.
The group also credited his advocacy with contributing to the development of a Department of Justice training initiative titled “Engaging and Building Relationships with Hindu American Communities,” created in consultation with Hindu American organizations to improve awareness of Hindu beliefs and counter bias.
Separately, the Hindu American Political Action Committee congratulated Krishnamoorthi for what it called a “valiant campaign” in the Democratic primary, describing his candidacy as “historic” and reflective of “service, integrity and dharma—or righteous action.”
The political action committee said his campaign “inspired many across our community and beyond,” and emphasized his five terms in the U.S. House, stating that his leadership and commitment to public service “have made a lasting impact.”
Thank you @CongressmanRaja for an incredible decade as a member of US Congress and for coming so close to taking the Hindu American community to the US Senate.
— Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) March 18, 2026
Thank you, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, for being a steadfast voice for Hindu Americans in the halls of Congress.… https://t.co/TzbBOtG68N
The Indian American Impact Fund also acknowledged his role in mobilizing voters and supporting Democratic candidates nationwide. In its statement, the group said it had worked alongside Krishnamoorthi to advocate for legislation aimed at protecting immigrant communities and credited him with mentoring emerging leaders.
The organization highlighted his personal background, noting that he “grew up on public housing and food stamps,” and said his story resonated with many immigrant families.
We’ve had the honor of crisscrossing the country with @CongressmanRaja, turning out voters and supporting Democrats up and down the ballot, and advocating for bills in the halls of Congress to protect immigrant communities. pic.twitter.com/dIMJum0MdC
— Indian American Impact (@IA_Impact) March 18, 2026
In his remarks after the results, Krishnamoorthi said, “Only in America can an immigrant with twenty-nine letters in his name go from public housing and food stamps to the halls of Congress. I will continue to fight for our country, the greatest on Earth, to make the United States of America the kind of country we all still believe in.”
The primary contest drew national attention due to heavy spending, competing political backers, and its implications for Democratic Party dynamics in a strongly Democratic state. Stratton, backed by Governor J. B. Pritzker defeated Krishnamoorthi by a margin of several percentage points, despite the congressman raising tens of millions of dollars during the campaign.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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