Illinois representative Raja Krishnamoorthi has announced his attempt to run for the Senate in 2026, confirming speculations that he would quickly join the field expanding the primary competitors who seek to win the safe Democratic seat left by Senator Dick Durbin, D-Bill., Which is removed at the end of its term.
In an interview with ABC News, the five -period congressman said he is running in a record of confronting “thugs” such as Donald Trump and that he is very focused on opposing the efforts of the Government’s efficiency department and Elon Musk to reduce federal agencies, programs and jobs.
The representative Raja Krishnamorthi walks through the steps of the camera after the last votes in the Capitol, on March 27, 2025.
Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, INC through Getty Images
“I have a history of facing Donald Trump in Congress. I voted to accuse him twice, but also … I played an important role in the first political trial hear Intelligence intelligence.
“But I have a history of defending many thugs, whether the electronic cigarette companies that take advantage of our youth and try to hook them to vapes or are Purdue pharmaceutical products that try to hook a generation to Oxycontin. I have passed after everything. He added everything.
Krishnamorthi added that he is running to fight for the economic prosperity of the Ilinoisans who “suffer under the economic chaos unleashed by Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Doge.”
“We need to focus as a laser on its economic problems at this time, even at the same time that we face Donald Trump,” he told ABC News.
Krishnamorthi’s offer will begin with three campaign stops on Friday while “promises” standing “against Trump’s agenda. The congressman, who represents a large part of the suburbs of northwest Chicago, will make stops in his hometown of Peoria, Illinois and in Schaumburg, Illinois, where he currently lives.
The president of the Senate Judicial Committee, Dick Durbin, D-Bill., It is seen in the Capitol in Washington, on November 14, 2024.
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
“My roots are in Peoria. I represent the suburbs. I have worked in the city for many years. So I want to try to track that trip I have had in Illinois but I also talk to as many people as possible in Illinois,” he told ABC News.
In an advertisement video published on Wednesday, Krishnamorthi described the actions that occurred within the “madness” of the White House and suggested that he is a Democrat who can “defend himself” against the Trump administration. The Democratic Party is dealing with questions about its political leadership after the surprising loss of the three branches of the government during the 2024 elections.
“People want to know, at this time, at this time, where is the power to defend themselves? How do you look?” Krishnamorthi said in the video. “Well, I will tell you: it looks like you, you and you, everyone ready to stop and defend myself. I spent my life facing thugs, fighting for everyday people. So I will never be silent, while billionaires like Elon Musk and a convicted criminal deny the dreams of the next generation for their own egos and personal gains. That’s why I am running through the United States Senate.”
The lawyer educated at Harvard University who received his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Princeton University was born in the Illinois center of Indian immigrants.
Before his election to Congress, Krishnamorthi served in several state roles and as a policy director in the administration of Obama. In his announcement video published on Wednesday, the congressman referred to himself as “Raja” and made reference to the fact that former President Barack Obama also had an ethnically ambiguous sound name, saying: “I worked on the campaign of a friend who showed that Illinois will give him a chance even if he has a fun name. And inspire me by Barack’s example, I was chosen for Congress.”
“Yes, I know that the name is long, so always, just call me slit,” the video concluded.
Krishnamorthi, one of the main ones in the race already very disputed, has accumulated more than one war chest of $ 19 million before its launch, with the impressive $ 3 million raised in just the first three months of 2025.
His offer occurs after Durbin announced in April that he would not look for a sixth mandate. The Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, Juliana Stratton, jumped in the race less than 48 hours after Durbin’s announcement and quickly obtained the backs of multimillionaire governor JB Pritzker and the other Senator of Illinois, Tammy Duckworth.
“At the end of the day, the most important thing is that I receive the support of the people of Illinois,” Krishnamorthi told ABC News when asked about his position between the primary field already full.
“They need to give their opinion … We have to make sure the process develops, develop, that they can kick the tires and evaluate who they want to hire them in the United States Senate, and I will do everything in my power to gain their support,” he added.
The announcement of Krishnamorthi also occurs only one day after his colleague, representative Robin Kelly, D-Bill., Declared his own offer for the seat. In an advertisement video published on Tuesday, Kelly mentioned how in Congress he does not stand during moments of silence to mark mass shootings because, he said, “moments of silence in Congress are no longer going to cut it.”
Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL) questions a witness during a meeting of the Democratic Management and Policy Committee of the House of Representatives on Medicaid in Washington, DC, on March 6, 2025.
Nathan Posner/Anadolu through Getty Images
Kelly is also the former president of the Illinois Democratic Party and a member of the leadership team of the minority of the representatives, Hakeem Jeffries. It is reported that representative Lauren Underwood, who is also a member of the Jeffries leadership circle, is still exploring a seat for the seat.
Krishnamorthi told ABC News that his record, paired with his ability to stand up “with Trump clearly, makes him positioned uniquely for the role.
“I think your history is important. I think the diversity of your experiences, besides … where you come from, I think that matters,” he said. “I think, above all, who will be the most effective to face Donald Trump but also deliver to the voters?”
Durbin said he does not plan to support any particular candidate, but does not rule out the possibility in an “extreme case.”
“I hope not to do it,” Durbin said.
Even so, Krishnamorthi was linked to Durbin when he launched his commitment to the Senate on Wednesday, praising him as a “titan” who was a “Downstate son.”
“Senator Dick Durbin is a titan that will become one of the most effective and dedicated public servants in the history of Illinois. I am deeply humble because candidacy
