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A Democratic fight for an Illinois Senate seat is testing the sway of JB Pritzker, pro-crypto forces and anti-ICE messaging

Krishnamoorthi is competing for the nomination with a financial and advertising lead and has responded to criticism over outside spending and immigration enforcement.

A Democratic fight for an Illinois Senate seat is testing the sway of JB Pritzker, pro-crypto forces and anti-ICE messaging
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This article1 analysis · Oct 8, 2026
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Mar 16, 2026
tl;dr

Illinois Democrats are choosing among Robin Kelly, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Juliana Stratton to succeed Dick Durbin, in a costly primary shaped by Gov. JB Pritzker’s support for Stratton, crypto-related spending and disagreements over immigration enforcement. The contest is also being watched as a test of Pritzker’s influence and of the candidates’ messages on issues facing Democrats nationally.

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VOTING CLOSED
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No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Krishnamoorthi in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Krishnamoorthi’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

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Illinois representative and Democratic Senate candidate

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Illinois representative and Democratic Senate candidate

Kelly's version of this story ↗

Illinois lieutenant governor and Democratic Senate candidate

Stratton's version of this story ↗

New York representative who has backed Kelly and criticized Pritzker’s involvement

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose immigration crackdown is a point of dispute in the primary

Richard J. Durbin
D · IL · SEN

Retiring Illinois senator whose seat is being contested

Tammy Duckworth
D · IL · SEN

Illinois senator who endorsed Stratton

Jim Clyburn
D · SC-6

South Carolina representative who headlined a fundraiser with Kelly

Kristi Noem
Former U.S. Representative (R-SD)

Homeland Security secretary whom Kelly introduced legislation to impeach

Elizabeth Warren
D · MA · SEN

Massachusetts senator who supports Stratton and criticized crypto-related outside spending

ALSO MENTIONED  JB Pritzker, Illinois governor and supporter of Juliana Stratton; Michelle Harris, Local alderman who urged voters to consider Stratton

Part of a bigger story

11 OUTLETS
Illinois Voters Choose Nominees in Congressional Primaries

Outlets agree Illinois voters are choosing a Democratic nominee for the open Senate seat Dick Durbin is leaving, with Raja Krishnamoorthi among the leading candidates. Center outlets present the race as shaped by campaign spending and policy disputes, including immigration and ICE, with some attention to Gov. JB Pritzker’s influence. Right-leaning outlets focus on a dispute over whether the late Jesse Jackson endorsed Juliana Stratton.

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