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Rep. Krishnamoorthi announces U.S. senate bid
He will be running for the seat left vacant by retiring Senator Dick Durbin.
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Malvika Choudhary - Wed, 07, May 2025
- 11:26 EDT
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Raja Krishnamoorthi / File Photo
Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi on May 7 launched his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat.
Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, will be running for the seat left vacant by retiring Senator Dick Durbin.
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In a video statement announcing the bid, Krishnamoorthi introduced his campaign as a fight against “billionaire backers and MAGA extremists.” He expressed his commitment to fighting for working families and standing up to what he described as extremist threats to democracy in Illinois.
“A president ignoring the Constitution, out for revenge, acting like a dictator… threatening our rights, rigging the rules to line their pockets,” he said. “They profit, and working people pay. It’s insanity,” he said.
I’m Raja Krishnamoorthi. I’ve spent my life standing up to bullies like Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Now I’m running for the U.S. Senate to make America work for working people.
— Raja Krishnamoorthi (@RajaForIL) May 7, 2025
If you’re ready to turn anger into action, join us.
And, like always, just call me Raja. pic.twitter.com/LGSkl7yEGp
Describing his middle-class upbringing, Krishnamoorthi added, “I’ve made it my mission to fight for families like the ones I grew up with… So I’ll never be quiet while billionaires like Elon Musk and a convicted felon deny the dreams of the next generation for their own egos and personal profit.”
He emphasized protecting abortion rights, reducing gun violence, preserving Medicaid, and addressing economic instability as key issues in his campaign. “If you’re ready to turn anger into action and make America work for working people, join our campaign,” he said.
The Indian American paid tribute to Senator Dick Durbin and said he was “encouraged” by family and supporters to pursue the seat. He plans to kick off his campaign with stops in Peoria, Chicago, and Schaumburg on May 8.
With this announcement, Krishnamoorthi becomes the third Democrat to enter the primary race to replace Durbin. Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton was the first to declare her candidacy, with endorsements from Governor J.B. Pritzker and Senator Tammy Duckworth. Representative Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) announced her bid on May 6.
Born in New Delhi and raised in Illinois, Krishnamoorthi has served in Congress since 2017. He has introduced important legislations such as the Presidential Pardon Transparency Act, the KREMLIN Act, requiring intelligence assessments of Russian intentions toward NATO and the bipartisan Hate Crimes Commission Act.
In the House, he serves as the chair of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, and as the ranking member and co-chair of the bipartisan Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. He also serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
The Democratic primary is expected to be competitive, with other potential candidates including Representatives Lauren Underwood and Nikki Budzinski, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.
On the Republican side, former police officer John Goodman has announced his candidacy. Other potential contenders include Congressman Darin LaHood and state Representative Tom Demmer.
The primary election is scheduled for March 2026, with the general election set for Nov. 3, 2026.
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