Illinois Senate Primary Race Tests Pritzker's Influence, Democrats' Views on ICE

The 2026 Democratic primary campaign for retiring Sen. Dick Durbin's Senate seat is a three-way race focused on immigration enforcement and outside spending.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 3:59am

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The race to fill the seat of retiring Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin has been heating up in the days leading up to Tuesday's 2026 Democratic primary. The three leading candidates - Julianna Stratton, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Robin Kelly - have all pledged to fight the Trump administration's immigration policies, particularly around Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The race is also a test of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's political influence, as he has endorsed and financially backed Stratton's campaign.

Why it matters

The Illinois Senate primary race is seen as an important test of the Democratic party's views on immigration enforcement and the role of outside spending in elections. The candidates' stances on reforming or abolishing ICE could set the tone for other midterm primaries, while Pritzker's involvement highlights the power of party leaders to influence primary outcomes.

The details

All three leading candidates have called for reforming or abolishing ICE, with some semantic differences. Stratton wants to see immigration judges and community-based social services prioritized, and says federal agents who've broken the law should be "investigated and fully prosecuted." Kelly goes the farthest, calling for ICE and the Department of Homeland Security to be dismantled. Krishnamoorthi says he wouldn't vote to give ICE or Customs and Border Protection "another nickel" and supports banning agents from wearing masks and requiring identification and body cameras. Krishnamoorthi has also been bolstered by about $10 million in outside spending from a super PAC funded by Silicon Valley tech executives, which his opponents have criticized.

  • The 2026 Democratic primary election in Illinois is on Tuesday, March 18, 2026.
  • The Illinois Senate seat is currently held by retiring Sen. Dick Durbin.

The players

Julianna Stratton

Illinois Lieutenant Governor and a leading candidate in the 2026 Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat.

Raja Krishnamoorthi

U.S. Representative and a leading candidate in the 2026 Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat.

Robin Kelly

U.S. Representative and a leading candidate in the 2026 Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat.

JB Pritzker

Governor of Illinois who has endorsed and financially backed Julianna Stratton's campaign.

Yvette Clarke

Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, which is backing Robin Kelly's campaign.

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What they’re saying

“We shouldn't see CBP marching down Michigan Avenue in Chicago. I wanna abolish ICE because I don't believe that this agency can be reformed.”

— Julianna Stratton, Candidate for U.S. Senate (CBS News)

“We need to dismantle ICE. We need to dismantle Border Patrol like it is now, and also USCIS that takes care of citizenship and asylums. It's all broken.”

— Robin Kelly, Candidate for U.S. Senate (CBS News Chicago)

“I think that the Republican Party is losing the argument that somehow ICE and CBP are acting okay. I think the vast majority of Americans see that they're not, and they see that ICE and CBP are acting recklessly, outta control with impunity, illegally and unconstitutionally.”

— Raja Krishnamoorthi, Candidate for U.S. Senate (CBS News)

“Quite frankly, [Pritzker's] behavior in this race won't soon be forgotten by any of us.”

— Yvette Clarke, Chair, Congressional Black Caucus (Punchbowl News)

“I would like a Black woman to represent us in the United States Senate. I just want the best person. She happens to be a Black woman.”

— JB Pritzker (New York Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This Illinois Senate primary race highlights the growing divide within the Democratic party over immigration enforcement and the role of outside spending in elections. The candidates' stances on ICE could set the tone for other midterm primaries, while Pritzker's involvement raises questions about the influence of party leaders in primary contests.