Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi enters Illinois Senate race to reclaim American dream
Democratic rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (Photo: Getty Images)
Democratic rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi has officially entered the 2026 Illinois Senate race, positioning himself as the candidate who will restore the American dream in the face of post-Trump economic turmoil, according to NBC News.
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from the Chicago suburbs, has launched his campaign for the US Senate in Illinois, entering an increasingly competitive Democratic primary.
The seat is opening up as longtime senator Dick Durbin, 80, prepares to retire after more than four decades in Congress.
Krishnamoorthi joins other high-profile contenders, including lieutenant governor Juliana Stratton and rep. Robin Kelly.
The 51-year-old, first elected to the House in 2016, began his campaign with stops in Peoria, Chicago, and Schaumburg.
In his announcement video, he criticized president Donald Trump, calling him a "convicted felon" and accusing him of empowering billionaires like Elon Musk to "exploit Americans" for personal gain.
"If I had any doubts about running for the Senate, I think they were erased after what we've seen in the first 100 days of the Trump administration," Krishnamoorthi said.
Focus on economic justice and political accountability
Krishnamoorthi highlighted his battles against powerful industries, pointing to his work confronting big pharma and the e-cigarette lobby.
"A lot of people feel like the American dream is out of reach right now," he said. "And I and my family have enjoyed the American dream. I feel it's my mission to make sure that it's available to others, accessible to others."
He also noted his involvement in the first impeachment of Trump and his current role as the top Democrat on the House select committee on US-China competition.
Though he'll need to give up his House seat to run, his strong fundraising — $3 million in the first quarter and $19 million cash on hand — positions him well.
On party leadership, he said he'd wait to hear from figures like Chuck Schumer before deciding on support: "I would want to absolutely hear him out on the issues that I just talked about."
Krishnamoorthi's candidacy signals a broader push within the Democratic Party to challenge the status quo and deliver real change.
Just a day earlier, longtime Democratic congresswoman Jan Schakowsky announced she will not seek re-election in 2026 after serving 14 terms in the House.
