The retirement of Sen. Dick Durbin has triggered an expensive, three‑way Democratic primary in Illinois that is testing Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s influence, the impact of pro‑crypto super PAC money and competing approaches to immigration enforcement. Raja Krishnamoorthi has outraised rivals and accounted for the lion’s share of ad buys, while outside groups such as Illinois Future PAC and pro‑crypto Fairshake have injected tens of millions more. The contest will likely determine Durbin’s successor and is being watched as a test of outside money and party direction ahead of the midterms.
Illinois Senate Primary Becomes Test Of Pritzker’s Clout, Crypto Cash And Anti‑ICE Politics
Rep. Robin Kelly, left, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, center, and Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, candidates for the US Senate, debate in Chicago on February 19. - Nam Y. Huh/AP
The retirement of Sen. Dick Durbin after nearly three decades in the Senate has sparked a costly, three‑way Democratic primary in Illinois that is highlighting intraparty divisions over immigration policy, the rising influence of pro‑crypto donors and Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s political reach as he eyes a possible 2028 national run.
Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will be the heavy favorite in November to succeed the 81‑year‑old Durbin in a state that has not elected a Republican statewide in 12 years. The field centers on U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton — all experienced figures who would represent generational change from Durbin, the Senate’s second‑ranking Democrat.
US Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi walks in the St. Patrick's Day parade on March 14 in Chicago. - Scott Olson/Getty Images
Money, Outside Groups And First‑Mover Advantage
Fundraising and outside spending have dominated the race. Krishnamoorthi has outraised and outspent his rivals by a large margin, raising more than $30 million — including roughly $20 million transferred from his House campaign account — and accounting for about $28.9 million of an estimated $56 million in primary advertising, according to campaign filings and ad‑tracking data.
Stratton has raised just over $4 million and Kelly about $3 million (roughly $2 million of Kelly’s total was transferred from her House account). Each of the two campaigns has spent about $1 million on ads.
Joined by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, left, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton speaks to residents at the Montclare Senior Residences of Avalon Park in Chicago on March 12. - Sophia Tareen/AP
Outside groups have poured additional tens of millions into the contest. Illinois Future PAC has spent roughly $14 million supporting Stratton and attacking Krishnamoorthi — a group that has received large personal contributions from Pritzker ($5 million) and his cousin Jennifer Pritzker ($1 million). At the same time, Fairshake, a pro‑crypto super PAC, reported roughly $191 million on hand at the end of January and has spent millions in Illinois — more than $8 million in the Senate primary — backing pro‑crypto messaging and opposing candidates perceived as anti‑crypto.
“The level of spending is just ludicrous,” said one veteran Illinois political operative, reflecting a common refrain about the race’s price tag and the role of outside money.
Pritzker’s Role And Intraparty Tensions
Pritzker’s active support for Stratton has made the primary a de facto measure of his statewide influence as he contemplates national ambitions. That involvement has prompted complaints from some Black Democratic leaders, including Rep. Yvette Clarke, head of the Congressional Black Caucus, who accused the governor of trying to tip the scales. Pritzker responded that he simply wants the best candidate and voiced support for electing a Black woman to the Senate.
Rep. Robin Kelly speaks during a debate in Chicago on February 19. - Nam Y. Huh/AP
Durbin has remained neutral in the primary. Sen. Tammy Duckworth has endorsed Stratton.
Immigration And Anti‑ICE Messaging
Immigration enforcement and responses to recent federal actions — including deployment of federal agents to Chicago — have become central flashpoints. Stratton has taken the strongest stance, aligning with progressive calls to significantly curtail Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Krishnamoorthi has proposed specific reforms to how immigration enforcement operates, such as requiring agents to display identification and limiting certain warrantless actions, while emphasizing his own immigrant family background as a motivation for his stance. Kelly has emphasized pragmatic approaches to oversight and accountability for federal agencies.
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi speaks during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing in the US Capitol on March 4. - Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
The immigration debate has amplified differences in tone and emphasis among the three candidates as they vie to convince Democratic voters they will be strongest in opposing the Trump administration’s enforcement tactics.
Closing Days And What’s At Stake
In the campaign’s final stretch, much of the candidates’ effort focused on Chicagoland, where most of the state’s Democratic electorate lives. High‑profile surrogates and surges in ad spending have defined the closing days: Rep. Jim Clyburn and Sen. Elizabeth Warren campaigned for Kelly and Stratton, respectively, and Pritzker joined Stratton at multiple events. Observers say the early and heavy ad presence from Krishnamoorthi gave him a first‑mover advantage that is difficult for rivals to overcome amid the torrent of outside spending.
Beyond Illinois, the primary is being watched as a bellwether on how outside money — including crypto‑aligned dollars — may shape key Democratic contests and how the party navigates hard questions on immigration policy heading into the midterms.
CNN reporting contributed to this piece.
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