* Subscribers were told about Rep. Kelly’s announcement this morning. The Hill…
Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) announced Tuesday that she’s running for retiring Sen. Dick Durbin’s (D-Ill.) seat, becoming the latest prominent Illinois Democrat to make a bid.
“I’m Robin Kelly. You could say I’ve been an underdog my whole life,” the House Democrat said in a video posted on the social platform X launching her Senate bid.
Kelly painted herself as a politician who has consistently defied the odds, including by ousting a 10-year incumbent state House member in 2002 and winning a crowded 2013 Democratic primary for Illinois’s 2nd Congressional District over former Rep. Debbie Halvorson (D-Ill.), who previously received an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association.
Kelly also used her video to tout her record, particularly her work on a sit-in in Congress over gun control legislation and her efforts toward extending Medicaid for new mothers.
* Rep. Kelly’s launch video…
* Tribune…
Kelly’s announcement that she is vying for the Senate seat comes two weeks after Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton launched her campaign last month with the backing of Pritzker, her two-time running mate.
The race for the party’s nomination to replace Durbin, a Springfield Democrat who was an ally of Kelly’s and announced in April that he would not seek a sixth term, isn’t the first time Kelly has faced off against a candidate backed by the billionaire governor and his political apparatus.
After working with Durbin in 2021 to defeat a Pritzker-backed candidate and become the first woman and first Black official to chair the Democratic Party of Illinois, Kelly dropped her bid to retain the seat a year later when allies of the governor rallied behind his handpicked state party leader, state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez of Cicero.
Kelly now enters a race in which her only declared opponent already has the backing of two of the state’s top Democrats: Pritzker and the state’s other senator, Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates. Durbin told reporters last month that he intended to make an endorsement in the race only in “an extreme case.”
* NBC Chicago…
Kelly is undeterred by the challenge of going up against the state’s top Democrat.
“I don’t think anyone is shocked the governor endorsed his lieutenant governor. I think that should be expected,” she said. “I’m hoping that people take a look at all of us that are running. I’ve been an effective leader. I’m a fighter. I’ve been standing up to Donald Trump just in these last three months, with my town hall meetings, with my face-to-face or my teletown hall meetings. I mean, the proof is in the pudding of the work I’ve done.”
* Sun-Times…
Kelly said she’s spoken to Preckwinkle about her bid, and she will be seeking the endorsement of the Cook County Democratic Party at the party’s slating in July.
Kelly has focused on health care, immigration and gun control in the House. She’s a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and serves on the Health, Communications and Technology, and Innovation, Data, and Commerce subcommittees. She’s also a member of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which sets the policy direction for the Democratic Caucus. She’s also a co-chair for the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.
“Definitely I would take my health care work to the Senate. There’s still too many disparities in health care, and you know, hopefully the Medicaid issue we’re going to solve in a better way. But if that … gets through, that’ll be a problem,” Kelly said. “Diversifying the health care pipeline, clinical trials. Those are things I’ll still be looking at.”
Kelly said she would also push to pass in the Senate the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which seeks to strengthen voting rights protections with federal oversight. The bill has been reintroduced every year since 2013.
Kelly said she works with Durbin often and has “hinted” to him that she would be interested in running for his seat. She said she’ll be seeking his endorsement.
* Politico…
Kelly has just over $2 million cash on hand, according to the latest Federal Election Commission reports.
Fundraising will be key in the 2026 Senate race to succeed the retiring Durbin. Stratton has not yet had to report her fundraising numbers but could get a boost from Pritzker, a billionaire who could single-handedly reshape the money race. She currently has about $100,000 in her state campaign account. A PAC started earlier this year to support Stratton has also not revealed its fundraising numbers.
Underwood has about $1.2 million in the bank, and Krishnamoorthi has reported more than $19 million cash on hand.
* More…
* Roll Call | Rep. Robin Kelly is running for Senate in Illinois: In 2002, Kelly won election to the state House and served two terms before becoming the chief of staff to Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. Both she and her boss had a rough year in 2010. Giannoulias lost a U.S. Senate race to Republican Mark S. Kirk, and Kelly lost her bid to replace her former boss.
* ABC Chicago | Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly running for US Senate: “Well I think the Obama card is always a good one to play in Illinois and she does have a deep relationship with the former president,” ABC7 Political Analyst Laura Washington said. […] “Well it hasn’t swayed her, she’s got just a million or two in her campaign fund,” Washington said. “It think it’s very far out to just figure out who has the best fundraising ability. Each candidate is going to have their own strengths and weaknesses.”
* Fox 32 | U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly launches Senate bid to succeed Dick Durbin: Kelly led a House sit-in over gun violence legislation and co-sponsored bills protecting domestic violence survivors. As a state lawmaker, she partnered with then-state Sen. Barack Obama and current Senate President Don Harmon to pass legislation targeting illegal gun sales.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 11:43 am:
The Lt. Governor and the Congresswoman are both great candidates.
I would like to know what the policy differences are between the two of them and I would really like to see a campaign that lets me know what the legislative priorities are of the candidates.
- Excessively Rabid - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 12:44 pm:
What Candy said, and please don’t make it about who’s more against Trump.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 12:50 pm:
===please don’t make it about===
I’m betting that polls well in a Democratic primary. And the current incumbent has been criticized for not being oppositional enough.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 12:51 pm:
For example: “Every day, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Congressional Republicans are targeting Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, and passing policies that raise costs for Illinois families, small businesses, and farmers,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly. “This moment requires proven leaders who have the experience to take on the toughest battles. I’ve never backed down – not from gun lobbyists, not from MAGA extremists, and certainly not from a fight for what’s right.”
- Norseman - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 12:53 pm:
Congresswoman, you’ve served well, but it’s time for a younger generation to serve in the Senate.
- Remember the Alamo II - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 12:56 pm:
=== but it’s time for a younger generation to serve in the Senate. ===
Do you have any evidence that she would not be able to perform the job because of her age (70) or that she would not adequately represent the interests of “a younger generation”?
- Steve - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 1:04 pm:
The voters of the Democratic party of Illinois will decide is Kelly is the one they want.
- Here here - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 1:07 pm:
Excellent launch video with a powerful “why I’m running.”
- the647 - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 1:08 pm:
why is politico reporting on how much Stratton has in her state campaign account? she can’t use it for a federal election.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 1:08 pm:
Looking forward to a primary election with several good candidates. May the best person win….
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 1:13 pm:
===why is===
Evergreen question.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 1:16 pm:
Old IL Dude, if you ever make a comment like that again you will be banned for life.
- low level - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 1:20 pm:
The race to replace her in the US House will be interesting as well. Lamont Robinson would be an excellent choice. Also he is young so could build up seniority quickly.
- Sue - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 1:34 pm:
Once these other candidates all announce- most folks will be asking Julia who- kelly is heads and shoulders more accomplished
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 1:43 pm:
“Once these other candidates all announce- most folks will be asking Julia who- kelly is heads and shoulders more accomplished”
If we chose our politicians by who is the most accomplished, Pat Quinn and Roland Burris would be running Illinois, and John Kasich would be president. The electorate does not choose based on experience or accomplishment.
- Timmo - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 1:56 pm:
Incredible ad. The juxtaposition so far is someone taking on gun crimes vs criminal justice reformer. The latter has become deeply unpopular due to many factors- extreme policies, misinformation. Should be interesting.
- Sue - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 1:56 pm:
Ducky- many years ago i interacted with then AG Burris- he was singularly the most inept politician I ever had the opportunity of meeting and not very bright - Quinn was a good well meaning person but a lousy politician- Kasich I agree with- As for Stratton- her only strength his JB’s endorsement which he is likely going to regret after he needs to endorse the ultimate primary winner who IMO will not be Stratton
- Peoples Republic of Oak Park - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 2:01 pm:
This was a good launch. Looking to see what Raja and Lauren do to distinguish themselves from the other candidates. To be honest, I know there will be mudslinging but this group is pretty solid and as a voter am happy with my choices
- Soccermom - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 2:06 pm:
That was one great ad
- Pundent - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 2:11 pm:
=ultimate primary winner who IMO will not be Stratton=
Yes because you’ve firmly established yourself as an expert on what ails the Democratic Party. Maybe someday they’ll heed your advice and win an election or two.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 2:28 pm:
===I’m betting that polls well in a Democratic primary===
One would expect almost all of the voters in a Democratic Primary to not like Republicans. The poll figures here showed that 93% of Democratic primary voters aren’t thrilled with Trump’s job performance.
The issue is that “not being a Republican” is the bare minimum standard. Being asked to evaluate which candidate hates Trump the most or which candidate insults Trump the best isn’t a strong issue or a strong position in the primary. The candidate tells voters that they’re a fighter. Alright. Good. What are you fighting for?
Are you fighting for anything different than any of the other fighters we can choose from?
Distaste for Republicans and Trump is why people will vote for whoever is the Democratic nominee in the general election.
Tell me — tell the voters — that you have something to campaign on other than not being a Republican. Not being a Republican has been a losing strategy nationally over, and over, and over again.
If everyone is just going to look to polling to pick their positions in the primary or look to polling to pick their legislative priorities, why even bother pretending like there is a distinction between the candidates?
Is everyone going to run a shallow campaign?
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 2:36 pm:
I suppose I would like the US Senate Primary to be an election over who is going to lead us — not who is going to follow whatever whimsy becomes popular enough among the voters.
We are a representative republic for a reason.
- Juice - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 2:37 pm:
Sue, unless Scott Lee Cohen somehow wins the primary, I assume the governor will not have an issue endorsing and supporting whoever gets the most votes.
By choosing Stratton to be his running mate, that is an indication that he believes she is most capable of becoming Governor if needed. Now she has decided that she wants to run for a different office, so of course he’s going to be supportive of that.
But that doesn’t mean that any different person who might get more votes is similarly capable of the job.
- Norseman - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 2:54 pm:
=== evidence that she would not be able to perform the job ===
If you haven’t been paying attention, the aging leadership of the Dem party has been under fire for not doing the job. With an open seat, you have a choice to do something about it.
- TKMH - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 3:13 pm:
==Do you have any evidence that she would not be able to perform the job because of her age (70) or that she would not adequately represent the interests of “a younger generation”?==
We should have a Senate that looks like America. That should not just apply to race or gender, but age as well.
- John Lopez - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 3:25 pm:
=== We should have a Senate that looks like America. That should not just apply to race or gender, but age as well. ===
Hmmm, with GA Governor Kemp bowing out of U.S. Senate bid next year, the Senator Jon Ossoff vs. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene showdown gonna test full meaning of that quote of “looking like America”.
- Remember the Alamo II - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 4:45 pm:
=== We should have a Senate that looks like America. That should not just apply to race or gender, but age as well. ===
Actually, the Constitution says that you cannot run for the U.S. Senate until you are 30 years old so anyone under 30 is not entitled to have a Senator that is of the same age.
With that said, there is nothing stopping the younger generation of voters from running someone for the Senate. I think Underwood is in her upper 30s so maybe that is the candidate you are talking about. And that would be fine — the candidate still has to run and make their case, however.
- Juvenal - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 5:42 pm:
=== Do you have any evidence that she would not be able to perform the job ===
I think the biggest concern with the Democratic electorate is that Kelly lost the last statewide race that she was in, getting less than 46% of the vote. She finished behind Pat Quinn even. That does not inspire grassroots support or financial donations or endorsements in a primary.
Democrats want a candidate that they believe will win. If she got 46% in 2010, how well will she campaign statewide 16 years later?
Stratton has campaigned and won statewide as Pritzker’s running mate. They will probably make the argument that she will fight for us in Washington the way that he has fought for us in Springfield.
The big question in my mind is whether or not Alexi will endorse his former chief-of-staff. And the longer that question is out there, the more folks are going to wonder.
- Loop Lady - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 6:33 pm:
I agree with Sue…why is JB pushing Strattons candidacy so hard?
Why stick your foot out so early?
Not a wise move.
- Regina G. - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 6:51 pm:
If we are going to talk about replacements for Robin, it is certainly not Lamont. He literally disappears FOR WEEKS ON END leaving his staff hanging. I think Donna Miller is the one to beat.
- I.T. Guy - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 7:22 pm:
—Ducky- many years ago —
Thanks Sue. Couldn’t agree more.
- state worker - Tuesday, May 6, 25 @ 8:31 pm:
Robin Kelley is a talented and experienced politician. I like her personally. About this ad: I thought the “sitting down” as “action” concept was a little too complex for a first ad. There were sentences with double negatives! That’s a lot to ask of an electorate that struggles to focus.
- Loop Lady - Wednesday, May 7, 25 @ 5:55 am:
I have been perusing other platforms on this subject.
One poster asked what Stratton has accomplished as LG.
Good question.
Response? Anyone?