Wow, it’s getting crowded in the Democratic Party’s competition to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin.
But that’s no surprise. The last time a U.S. Senate seat opened up in Illinois was in 2008, when then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama was elected president.
So far, there are three announced candidates: Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton, 59, and U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, 69, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, 51. Waiting in the wings is 38-year-old U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, who said she is “certainly taking a look” at running.
If there are any others interested, they have yet to make their interest crystal clear.
Meanwhile, 10 months before the March 2026 party primary, there already are alleged dirty deeds in play.
Word has it that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s team tried to bully Underwood out of making the race. Having endorsed Stratton, Pritzker is suspected of trying to clear the field for his lieutenant governor.
Pritzker’s team has said that’s not so, embracing profanity to add theatrical authenticity to its denial. But if the charge was true, would they admit it? Of course not.
There’s another political angle here that is a sign of changing times.
The three Cook County women — Kelly, Underwood and Stratton — are Black. That prompted Chicago Tribune columnist Laura Washington, who also is Black, to warn that “the three” could split the party’s base, “leaving another contender to slip by to the nomination.”
“All three are qualified and distinguished. All three could appeal to women and voters of color. That’s why Democrats who are eager for more diversity in Congress are sounding the alarm,” Washington wrote.
Anyone notice the voter group Washington inadvertently suggested would not vote for the three in the March 2026 Democratic Party primary? White Democratic men.
That’s a racial generalization. But it makes perfect sense considering Cook County’s long history of political and ethnic tribalism.
Although the race is statewide, Cook County Democrats call the state’s tune. The Republican Party has become a non-factor in statewide elections.
The only male in the race, so far, is 51-year-old U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, whose parents are immigrants from India. He has a bulging campaign treasury of nearly $20 million.
But it would be unwise to put much stock in that assessment. After all, multibillionaire Pritzker has spent many millions of dollars to support his favorites.
One issue of note concerns who is not running: former Champaign County resident and current state Treasurer Michael Frerichs.
After expressing some interest in running, the Chicagoan said he was besieged with well-wishers.
“… My phone has rarely stopped buzzing. I have been humbled at the outpouring of support and encouragement from so many of you.”
But Frerichs said family obligations, including twin boys, come first.
“I don’t want to miss their games, their recitals, or even that many bedtimes,” he said.
Instead, Frerichs said, he will remain in Illinois to fight “the Trump corruption, protect working families from the Trump chaos, and ensure Illinois survives and thrives when Trump finally leaves office for the last time.”
Trump. Trump. Trump. Get ready for the competition among the Democratic candidates to see which of them, in the strongest terms, can best express their hatred for the current occupant of the White House.
He’s the Democrats’ latest version of The Great Satan, something Democratic candidates for federal office well know. They’ll be putting the rhetorical hay down where the rabid anti-Trump goats can get it, making the multi-candidate battle noisy and maybe even fun to watch.
