* Get ready for that US Senate announcement…
Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi announced that his campaign raised over $3 million in the first quarter of 2025, ending the period with over $19 million cash on hand.
Raja’s impressive first-quarter raise comes on the heels of a prolific 2024 cycle wherein he contributed and raised over $11 million for Democrats across the country.
“In the months since Donald Trump moved back into the White House, Raja has been laser-focused on holding his Administration accountable and protecting Illinois families,” said senior advisor Nick Ryan. “We are grateful to the dedicated donors who are fired up and ready to support Raja’s efforts to stop Trump every chance he gets. While Trump and Congressional Republicans bear hug Elon Musk and their billionaire donors, it is more important than ever that Democrats have the resources to get out our message and fight back.”
Raja also contributed $100,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee this quarter to win back control of the U.S. House of Representatives, and supported several candidates up and down the ballot.
In the seventy days since Trump took office, Raja has led the charge to hold his Administration accountable, urging them to take action on rising grocery prices, speaking out against their illegal freeze of federal funds, condemning their attempts to gut Medicaid, calling out their plan to slash SNAP benefits, and more — all to help Illinois families. Just last week, Raja, a top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, made headlines for holding top Trump officials accountable for texting classified war plans in a Signal group chat.
- ChicagoBars - Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 12:39 pm:
A stunning number of my normal people neighbors (among the ones who regularly vote) in Chicago’s Lakeview/Lincoln Park have no idea who Krishnamoorthi is at all. Like don’t even know that he is in Congress for Illinois.
So guess we’re about to see if a dozen million dollars can fix the name recognition.
- Frida's Boss - Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 12:42 pm:
Federal candidates usually don’t release their fundraising numbers until the 15th of the month from the prior quarter. Unless sending a message.
This is sending a message. Here’s my $19 million, can anyone see it and raise it?
- Friendly Bob Adams - Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 12:51 pm:
I think this is to let everyone know he’s ready when Durbin steps down…??
- Alton Sinkhole - Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 12:53 pm:
It makes me wonder how many staffers he has gone through to raise that $19m. Have heard some horror stories.
- Mike - Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 12:56 pm:
He’s been preparing to run for Senate for years but I can’t see him making it very far in the primary, especially if Underwood or Stratton run.
- Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 12:57 pm:
=Krishnamoorthi says he has $19 million on hand=
I hope Robin Kelly, Lauren Underwood, Robert Peters… and others match his early move. Love those contested Primaries.
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 1:02 pm:
I’m sure this was all a grassroots effort, with no special interests/major businesses involved. *eyeroll*
Having $19 Million in the bank while in a safe seat and the only thing he can point to from a party-building standpoint is $100K to the DCCC? Raj is about to have a very lonely campaign, because he hasn’t spent a nickel to support anyone else over the years. Ads can only get you so far.
- Juvenal - Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 1:03 pm:
That’s some serious Blair Hull-level coin.
Hull finished third.
It is a poorly-kept secret that Durbin’s people helped elect Raja, have had him in mind to replace Durbin for a long time, and see Raja as their best chance to continue to be gainfully employed. Durbin also believes he should have *some say* in who replaces him.
With deepest respect, they are finely talented people and should have no problem finding future work. Durbin also needs to realize now that his endorsement might hurt more than it helps in the primary, so he is not exactly holding a bunch of cards here.
Unless Raja has a plan to drive a wedge between Pritzker and the AFL-CIO, Raja will be holding $19 million while Stratton holds twice that much cash, the Democratic Party, and organized labor.
- NotRich - Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 1:32 pm:
Friendly Bob: doesn’t matter if Durbin is or isn’t retiring. Raja is in.
- Senator Clay Davis - Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 2:31 pm:
::Underwood or Stratton::
::Stratton holds twice that much cash::
Not saying she’s not qualified, but what have been Stratton’s big victories that make her qualified for the US Senate? After defeating the eminently beatable Ken Dunkin, she had one term in the House (where I don’t recall any major accomplishments), then a stint in the powerless LTG position (where I also can’t name anything notable).
What’s the big win she can point to?
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 2:34 pm:
So it is April now i thought Durbin was supposed to have announced his intentions by now. I think he runs.
- here and now - Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:45 pm:
Stratton may be light on a record in an office that’s basically ceremonial, but not sure members of Congress are positioned with well-known policy accomplishments in a body at about 25% job approval? A Senate primary is winnable for someone who can carve out 25% of the vote.
- ModerateGOP - Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 4:06 pm:
The Lt. Gov could easily attach herself to much of the Governor’s record. She might not have individual accomplishments, but she is part of the administration and can use that to her advantage in a primary.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 4:53 pm:
Lots of money, lots of good ideas, U.S. Senate is as far as he could go.
- Bugsy - Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 8:49 pm:
Won’t a Republican be competitive and possibly win…if Durbin retires??
- NoUseForAName - Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 11:19 pm:
—Won’t a Republican be competitive and possibly win…if Durbin retires??—
Not one who could make it out of the primary.