With his announcement Wednesday that he would not seek reelection next year, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin set into motion an upheaval of Democratic politics involving current officeholders looking at the potential risks and rewards of seeking a coveted U.S. Senate seat and its potential for long-term job security.
Even before Durbin’s long-awaited decision, a behind-the-scenes Democratic primary was underway by at least four current elected officials. But now that Durbin has made it official, additional contenders are likely to surface after they scrutinize their chances.
U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, Robin Kelly of Matteson, Lauren Underwood of Naperville and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton have been adding political staff, making contacts and creating schedules to take them around the state to gain much-needed name recognition as they awaited Durbin’s decision.
On Thursday, one day after Durbin’s announcement, Krishnamoorthi is scheduled to launch from Chicago a tour to central Illinois to warn of the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on small businesses and families. And Kelly is set to hold an afternoon “town hall” on the campus of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, in the heavily GOP congressional district of far-right U.S. Rep. Mary Miller.
Three-term Democratic state Treasurer Michael Frerichs said he is weighing a bid for Durbin’s seat and other Democrats have floated the names of first-term Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, state Sen. Robert Peters of Chicago and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who has been looking for a reentry into Democratic politics and policy.
Emanuel, a former congressman, White House chief of staff and ambassador to Japan, prefers an executive rather than legislative post and is unlikely to seek Durbin’s seat, those close to him say.
For statewide officeholders, a run for the Senate creates a disadvantage since money in their state campaign funds cannot be converted for use in a federal campaign, which has stricter fundraising restrictions. That means starting a fundraising operation anew.
Frerichs, who formerly lived in Champaign but now lives in Chicago, hailed Durbin as “an important mentor and friend” and said he was “considering how I can continue to best serve the people of Illinois.” That, he said, included “having conversations with my family.”
Stratton, the lieutenant governor, has been spending down her state campaign fund by doling out more than $98,000 in digital advertising that could be viewed as a way to increase her name recognition for a Senate run.
In a social media post, Stratton hailed Durbin’s career while vowing to “work hard to carry on his legacy of delivering real solutions for the middle class.”
Giannoulias made an unsuccessful run for the Senate against Mark Kirk in 2010, the last Republican to hold the office. Kirk was defeated after one term by Democrat Tammy Duckworth, who was reelected in 2022. Giannoulias proved to be a strong fundraiser in his Senate bid but he is also considering making a bid for Chicago mayor in 2027.
Among the potential U.S. House Democrats considering a Senate contest, Krishnamoorthi, who has served five terms, had a federal campaign war chest of $19.4 million as of April 1.
“A champion for everyday families and an unyielding advocate for the underdog, Sen. Durbin represents the true meaning of public service,” Krishnamoorthi said on social media. “Over the next two years, I know he will continue to fiercely advocate for our state, and I will be honored to fight alongside him as we continue to deliver for Illinois.”
Kelly, who has served in the House since 2013, had more than $2 million in her campaign bank account as of April 1.
“Sen. Durbin has always served with integrity and common sense, and I am one of millions of Illinoisans who are grateful for his leadership during challenging times,” she said on social media.
The four-term Underwood has $1.1 million in cash on hand at the start of April, records show. She called Durbin a “generous and thoughtful leader.”
“As a steady force for good, Sen. Durbin always dedicates himself not just to our state, but the country,” she said. “I’m so grateful for his decades of service which has made life better for millions of people.”
If the prospective congressional candidates and statewide elected officers ran for Durbin’s seat, that, in turn, would create a chorus of candidates from the General Assembly and elsewhere seeking to run for open U.S. House seats.
While the eventual Democratic nominee is expected to have the advantage in a state where party members have held all statewide elected offices since 2019, Republican U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood of Peoria acknowledged Wednesday he was considering a Senate bid.
LaHood, the son of former longtime GOP congressman and Obama transportation secretary Ray LaHood, had nearly $5.9 million in his federal campaign fund as of April 1. One of only three House Republicans in Illinois’ congressional delegation, LaHood has served since 2015 in Congress and has been a strong supporter of President Trump.
A statement from Jake Ford, LaHood’s political director, said Durbin’s retirement was “long overdue” and that the senator served as “the face of Washington dysfunction.”
“Illinoisans are ready to turn the page. Voters are tired of out-of-touch liberal policies that have failed working families, and prioritized illegal immigrants and far-left ideological agendas over hard working American taxpayers,” Ford said in touting LaHood’s “strong support from voters.” LaHood has benefited by congressional maps drawn by legislative Democrats that sought to pack Republicans into as few GOP-majority districts as possible while maximizing Democratic representation from Illinois in the House.
“As the 2026 election approaches, congressman LaHood remains focused on delivering conservative leadership for all Illinoisans that offers a clear alternative to the failed liberal policies driving families and businesses out of Illinois,” Ford said.
