Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi has officially announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Illinois, joining a competitive Democratic primary to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin. The Democratic field includes Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Rep. Robin Kelly, with more potential candidates considering entry. Krishnamoorthi, who has represented a Democratic-leaning Chicago district since his election to the House in 2016, aims to start his campaign in various cities, including Peoria and Chicago.
In his launch video, he highlights his opposition to former President Donald Trump, branding him a “convicted felon” and criticizing his ties to billionaires like Elon Musk. He addresses his name humorously, relating it to former President Barack Obama and inviting people to call him “Raja.” Krishnamoorthi asserts his experience of standing up to corporate interests, particularly the e-cigarette and pharmaceutical industries, as a distinguishing feature in the primary race. He believes that current economic conditions have made the American dream less attainable and expresses a commitment to making it accessible.
He asserted the significance of his role in Trump’s first impeachment and currently serves as the top Democrat on the House select committee on U.S.-China competition. His intention to run for the Senate means he will relinquish his House seat. Notably, he has demonstrated strong fundraising capabilities, raising $3 million in the first quarter and holding $19 million in cash. While he hasn’t consulted Barack Obama regarding his campaign, he emphasizes the priority of securing the endorsement of Illinois voters. Krishnamoorthi acknowledges a demand among Democrats for greater change and an aggressive political response to current issues, asserting that the party cannot simply defend the status quo.
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