Democratic Senate Candidates Clash on Donations, Weigh In on Extraterrestrial Controversy

Illinois primary race for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin's seat features debate over campaign funding and UFOs

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Democratic front-runners in the primary race for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin's seat sparred over campaign donations and weighed in on space aliens at a Monday debate hosted by Fox 32. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi debated issues including campaign funding from ICE contractors, the federal minimum wage, and the government's potential cover-up of information about extraterrestrials.

Why it matters

The debate highlighted key policy differences between the Democratic candidates vying to replace the long-serving Sen. Durbin, with the candidates clashing over the influence of corporate money in politics and the appropriate level for the federal minimum wage. The candidates' responses on the topic of extraterrestrials also shed light on their views on government transparency and conspiracy theories.

The details

During the debate, Stratton criticized Krishnamoorthi for accepting donations from Palantir, an ICE contractor, while Krishnamoorthi noted that Stratton's super PAC received funds from CoreCivic, a federal contractor that operates an ICE detention center. Kelly took aim at Stratton's proposal to raise the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour, arguing that a more modest increase to $17 per hour would be more realistic. On the topic of extraterrestrials, the candidates expressed varying degrees of openness to the government releasing information, with Kelly saying she would support it if it didn't interfere with national security, Stratton downplaying voter interest in the issue, and Krishnamoorthi calling for more transparency to address conspiracy theories.

  • The debate was held on Monday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Juliana Stratton

The lieutenant governor of Illinois and a Democratic candidate in the primary race for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin's seat.

Robin Kelly

A U.S. Representative from Illinois's 2nd congressional district and a Democratic candidate in the primary race for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin's seat.

Raja Krishnamoorthi

A U.S. Representative from Illinois's 8th congressional district and a Democratic candidate in the primary race for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin's seat.

Dick Durbin

The current U.S. Senator from Illinois, whose seat is being contested in the primary.

Barack Obama

The former President of the United States, who recently made comments about the topic of space aliens.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“You have taken money from ICE contractors. That does not give anyone confidence that you're going to be someone who stands up to ICE.”

— Juliana Stratton, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois (shawlocal.com)

“This hypocrisy about ICE contractors has got to end. I think (Stratton) wants us to believe she's not taking corporate money through the front door of her campaign, but it's coming through the side door, the rear door, the garage through her super PACs.”

— Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Representative (shawlocal.com)

“I think what the congressman wants to do is to distract us from the fact he takes money from MAGA allies.”

— Juliana Stratton, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois (shawlocal.com)

“I would vote for it – if it doesn't interfere with national security. That's what comes first for me.”

— Robin Kelly, U.S. Representative (shawlocal.com)

“more transparency needs to be provided ... to get away from the conspiracy theories. I do think there's a lack of trust in government.”

— Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Representative (shawlocal.com)

What’s next

The Democratic primary election in Illinois is scheduled for March 17, 2026, where voters will choose their party's nominee to run for the U.S. Senate seat.

The takeaway

The debate highlighted the ideological divides within the Illinois Democratic Party, with the candidates clashing over the role of corporate money in politics, the appropriate minimum wage, and the government's handling of information about extraterrestrials. These issues will likely play a key role in shaping the primary race and the eventual general election contest for the U.S. Senate seat.