U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly joins Democratic primary to fill Durbin’s Senate
seat
[May 07, 2025]
By Ben Szalinski
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly is the second Democrat to step into the 2026
primary race to succeed U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.
Kelly, a resident of south suburban Matteson, has represented Illinois’
2nd Congressional District since 2013 and recently served a short stint
as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
“This moment requires proven leaders who have the experience to take on
the toughest battles,” Kelly said in a statement. “I’ve never backed
down – not from gun lobbyists, not from MAGA extremists, and certainly
not from a fight for what’s right.”
Kelly won a crowded 16-person primary in a 2013 special election to fill
the congressional seat vacated by former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, who
resigned while under investigation for misuse of campaign funds and
eventually went to prison. Kelly received more than half the primary
vote before easily winning the special election.
Kelly currently represents one of Illinois’ most geographically diverse
congressional districts. The 2nd District stretches from the South Side
of Chicago more than 100 miles south to Danville.
Kelly also served two terms in the Illinois House and unsuccessfully ran
for state treasurer in 2010.
As a member of Congress, Kelly has focused much of her time on health
care and gun violence issues. In a video launching her campaign, Kelly
reflected on the time she refused to stand for a moment of silence in
the U.S. House following a mass shooting.
“And the next time, someone else sat down with me,” Kelly said. “And
then another, until a moment of silence felt more like an echo of
inaction.”
Kelly joins Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in the race. Stratton has already
received endorsements from Gov. JB Pritzker and U.S. Sen. Tammy
Duckworth.
Her entrance into the race also sets up another battle with Pritzker.
[to top of second column]
|
State Rep. Lisa Hernandez embraces U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly in 2022
after unseating her as Democratic Party of Illinois chair. (Capitol
News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
With Durbin’s support, Kelly was elected chair of the state Democratic
Party in 2021 to replace Mike Madigan after the long-time party head
bowed out of politics amid a then-ongoing federal investigation. Kelly
beat Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris for the party leadership job, but her
success was short-lived.
Kelly ended her bid for reelection as party chair in 2022 after it
became clear she would not have enough support to beat State Rep. Lisa
Hernandez, D-Cicero, for party leadership. Pritzker supported Hernandez
while Kelly continued to have Durbin’s support.
In the 2026 primary, however, Durbin told reporters last month he likely
won’t endorse any candidate for his Senate seat in the primary. Durbin
announced last month he will retire when his term ends in 2027 following
44 years in Congress.
Kelly enters the primary with $2 million in her campaign account,
according to federal election records.
“You could say I’ve been an underdog my whole life,” Kelly said in the
video.
Democratic U.S. Reps. Lauren Underwood and Raja Krishnamoorthi are still
contemplating entering the race for Senate, but Illinois Treasurer Mike
Frerichs announced Monday he will not join the fray.
State Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago, posted on social media Tuesday he
is considering next steps in his career and possibly running for Kelly’s
congressional seat in 2026.
Capitol News Illinois is
a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government
coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily
by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. |
