Illinois Voters Pick New Generation of Democrats for Congress

Retirements of longtime incumbents spark competitive primaries for six open House and Senate seats

Mar. 17, 2026 at 4:13am

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Illinois voters are deciding primaries for six open U.S. House and Senate seats, which will bring a new generation of leadership to the state's heavily Democratic congressional delegation. The retirement of longtime Sen. Dick Durbin has triggered a competitive campaign, drawing candidates including two sitting House members and the lieutenant governor.

Why it matters

The primaries are seen as a test of the influence of Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, whose name has been floated as a potential 2028 presidential contender. The races will also determine the future direction of Illinois' Democratic congressional delegation, which has been dominated by long-serving incumbents.

The details

The retirement of Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat who has held his seat since 1997, has sparked a competitive primary race to succeed him. The candidates include two sitting House members, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Rep. Robin Kelly, as well as Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. The race has been marked by sharp elbows and furious fundraising.

  • The primaries are being held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
  • Sen. Dick Durbin announced his retirement in January 2026 after serving in the Senate since 1997.

The players

Dick Durbin

A Democratic U.S. Senator from Illinois who has held his seat since 1997 and is now retiring.

JB Pritzker

The Democratic Governor of Illinois, whose name has been floated as a potential 2028 presidential contender.

Raja Krishnamoorthi

A Democratic U.S. Representative from Illinois who is running for the open Senate seat.

Robin Kelly

A Democratic U.S. Representative from Illinois who is also running for the open Senate seat.

Juliana Stratton

The Democratic Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, who is also a candidate for the open Senate seat.

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What’s next

The winners of the Democratic primaries will advance to the general election in November 2026, where they will face Republican nominees for the open House and Senate seats.

The takeaway

The primaries in Illinois will shape the future of the state's Democratic congressional delegation, which has been dominated by long-serving incumbents. The races are also seen as a test of Gov. Pritzker's political influence and a potential preview of the 2028 presidential race.