Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi continues to dominate the field in the Democratic primary election for U.S. Senate, moving above 40 percent in a recent survey1 of likely voters. Raja’s lead is wide and expanding, as we rapidly move towards early voting in the coming weeks. Raja currently wins 41 percent of the vote, far ahead of Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton (16 percent) and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (15 percent), who are statistically tied for second place. Since August, Raja has increased his margin over Stratton by 5 points.
In addition to his overall strength, Raja’s coalition is quite broad and he currently leads in every region of the state and among White, Black, and Latino voters. He is winning particularly large shares of the vote among critical high turnout blocs of voters, including seniors (58 percent), voters in suburban Chicago (50 percent), and voters who have voted in all three of the most recent Democratic primaries (46 percent).
Results are taken from a survey of 900 likely voters in the March 2026 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Illinois. Interviews were conducted by live dialers via telephone and through text-to-web responses between January 8-12, 2026. Results carry a margin of error of +/- 3.3 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence interval.
* As you likely know, Bruce Leon has officially dropped out of the 9th CD race. Evanston Now…
Democratic Committeeman Bruce Leon, less than a week after saying he’d stay in the 9th Congressional District Democratic primary, is dropping out and endorsing Phil Andrew, a former FBI agent and hostage negotiator from Wilmette.
The decision, which comes in response to pressure from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee urging Leon to drop his bid, has been in the air for several weeks, according to people with knowledge of the endorsement, but was made official with Leon visiting Andrew’s campaign office in Skokie Tuesday afternoon.
The news was first reported Tuesday by the Chicago Tribune and confirmed by Andrew’s campaign manager, Dave Seman, who told Evanston Now that the campaign is “excited to accept support” from Leon, who brings with him significant connections in Chicago’s Orthodox Jewish community.
Leon said he filed paperwork Tuesday to officially remove his name from the March 17 primary ballot, something he’s technically still able to do despite last Thursday’s state-deadline to solidify the ballot at 17 Democratic candidates.
“We really see this as, like, a force multiplier,” Andrew said. “I’m new to politics, but I understand that it is a process of addition.” […]
Andrew, for his part, criticized the “outsized” influence of AIPAC in the race but said his campaign would “welcome support from all the different places that resources could come from, as long as they recognize we are moving forward on a shared vision for the future.”
Leon had dreamed of representing the Orthodox Jewish community in Congress, he said, but felt some relief at giving up the campaign this week.
“I feel better for the city of Chicago, the 9th District and the country if we can pull this off,” he said.
After U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-9th) announced last year she would not run for reelection in 2026, and 16 Democrats joined one already running in the upcoming primary, the money from outsiders looking to get their candidate in office started pouring in. One quiet but major player in the race appears to be the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC. […]
“We are not aware of, or interested in, any between outside groups and other campaigns,” [Sen. Laura Fine’s] spokesman Owen Kilmer said. “Sen. Fine’s sole focus is talking to voters about what’s keeping them up at night and her record standing up to special interests and the insurance companies that won’t hesitate to bankrupt families to pad their bottom line.”
A letter released by [9th CD candidate Kat Abughazaleh], reportedly authored by AIPAC, said, “She’s not just loud, she’s well-funded — Abughazaleh has already raised nearly $1,000,000, positioning her as the financial frontrunner in the early stages of this race. If we don’t act now, she could win,” it continued. “She poses a direct threat to our mission and the future of Israel’s security. Fortunately, we have a fighter of our own: Illinois State Senator Laura Fine.” […]
Abughazaleh’s video, along with other reports, also claim AIPAC hosted fundraising events for Fine in California. When asked if AIPAC held such fundraisers for Fine, Kilmer acknowledged that fundraisers in California took place. He said some people at those fundraisers were also affiliated with AIPAC, but said those events were not AIPAC fundraisers.
Abughazaleh's campaign is also taking a swipe at Fine's campaign this morning, calling Fine's Q4 haul "AIPAC network money." pic.twitter.com/S1tB51zo3O
* The Servant-Leader Fund, which says on its website that it “helps elect principled, Democratic next-generation veterans and national security professionals,” has spent $27,000 on mail backing Democrat Dan Tully, who is running for Raja Krishnamoorthi’s 8th Congressional District seat. The mailer…
* In the 2nd CD, Sen. Willie Preston has been endorsed by Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon…
Alleging violations of the U.S. Constitution and federal law during the chaotic and at times violent immigration crackdowns in Chicago and Minneapolis, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and roughly 70 Democratic colleagues on Wednesday moved to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, a largely symbolic move as Republicans maintain a narrow House majority.
Kelly, speaking at a Washington news conference, acknowledged the long odds of moving the articles of impeachment against Noem through the GOP-controlled House. But the seven-term congresswoman from south suburban Lynwood, who is running in Illinois’ March 17 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, said growing support for the effort and a groundswell of public opposition to the tactics of federal immigration agents, most recently the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis a week ago, will put pressure on Noem. […]
The first step toward removing Noem from office would be for the Republican-controlled House to approve the charges in the impeachment resolution, an unlikely scenario even after some GOP lawmakers have broken with party leadership and President Donald Trump recently on issues including the release of files on disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the extension of Affordable Care Act tax subsidies. The Republican-controlled Senate would then have to vote to convict Noem and remove her from office by a two-thirds majority vote. […]
Even among Kelly’s 13 fellow Democrats in Illinois’ 17-member congressional delegation, only eight had signed on as co-sponsors of the impeachment resolution as of Wednesday afternoon. Those who didn’t co-sponsor included the state’s two Latino members of Congress, U.S. Reps. Jesús “Chuy” García and Delia Ramirez, both of Chicago.
Among those co-sponsoring the resolution is Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, who is running against Kelly in the Democratic Senate primary.
* Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has been endorsed by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Local Union No. 1. Press Release…
“BCTGM Local 1 is proud to endorse Juliana because she understands the challenges working families face every day. As union members, we know the value of fair wages, safe workplaces, and dignity on the job. Juliana shares our commitment to economic and social justice, and we’re confident she’ll be a strong voice for workers in our community.”
- President Don Woods
…Adding… US Rep. Eric Sorensen’s race has been upgraded…
* Press Release | Moms Fed Up PAC Endorses Mayra Macías for Congress in Illinois’s 4th District: Moms Fed Up PAC, a national organization empowering mothers to seek and hold political office and advocating for policies that enhance the lives of families across the nation, endorsed Mayra Macías for Illinois’s 4th Congressional District. Macías, a lifelong Democrat and Back of the Yards native, is running as an independent candidate to ensure residents have a choice at the ballot box this November. “We’re excited to endorse Mayra Macías for the U.S. House in IL04,” said Moms Fed Up PAC. “Mayra has dedicated her life to addressing the needs of families — from protecting immigrant communities to expanding economic opportunity. She’s the kind of leader we need in Congress.”
* Daily Herald | Biss takes on ICE in new congressional campaign commercial: In Illinois’ most-crowded congressional race, Democrat Daniel Biss has become the latest candidate to bring his message to TV sets across the 9th District. The 30-second spot, released Tuesday, is running on cable stations, streaming services and digital platforms. It also can be found on YouTube. The ad, dubbed “Biss vs. ICE,” focuses on Biss’ active resistance to federal immigration enforcement efforts in Evanston, where he’s mayor, and across the Chicago area. It mixes news footage with video of Biss speaking directly to viewers.
* USTL | Don Tracy Pledges To Support Congressional Term Limits: U.S. Term Limits (USTL), the leader in the non-partisan national movement to limit terms for elected officials, praises 2026 U.S. Senate candidate for Illinois, Don Tracy, for signing the pledge for an amendment to term limit Congress. Previously, candidate R. Cary Capparelli signed the pledge. U.S. Term Limits has the support of more than 150 pledge signers in Congress. USTL President Philip Blumel commented on Tracy’s and Capparelli’s pledges saying, “Don’s and R. Cary’s strong support of term limits shows that there are individuals who are willing to put self-interest aside to follow the will of the people. America needs a Congress that will be served by citizen legislators, not career politicians.”
* Press Release | Congressman Sorensen Joins Impeachment Effort Against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem: “As a Member of Congress, I take seriously my job to hold presidential administrations accountable,” said Congressman Sorensen. “Now is the time Congress must rein in the Trump Administration’s cruel attacks on immigrants and U.S. citizens. Secretary Noem is failing the American people by threatening, intimidating, and harassing my neighbors and I believe she must be removed from office.”
* NBC Chicago | Rep. Robin Kelly files articles of impeachment against Sec. Kristi Noem: She also accused Noem of violating public trust by “violating due process of American citizens,” and of self-dealing, alleging she had “abused her office for personal benefit and steered federal dollars to associates.” According to reporting by Pro Publica, Noem’s DHS steered ad dollars toward a consulting firm “with long-standing personal and business ties to Noem and her senior aides at DHS.”
* Daily Herald | Congressional candidates to meet in four forums: Finally, the 11th District GOP candidates will gather for a forum in Crystal Lake on Thursday, Jan. 22. The discussion is set for 6 p.m. at McHenry County College’s Luecht Auditorium, 8900 Northwest Highway. A meet-and-greet with the candidates is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The event will be hosted by McHenry County GOPAC and the McHenry County Republican Party.
I’m not sure what to make of all the AIPAC talk in the 9th CD. On one hand, AIPAC is one of the top bogeyman in progressive politics today — making it a potentially potent line of attack in a Dem primary in a progressive district. On the other, the 9th has a large Jewish population and the Jewish community is understandably sensitive to attacks on Jewish institutions these days. Then again, while I haven’t seen 9th CD polling on the issue, national polling shows the Israeli-Palestinian conflict consistently ranks very low when voters are asked about what issues concern them most. Could it be the back and forth on AIPAC is super relevant to a small (but loud) portion of folks there, but not particularly important to a big group of less engaged, rank-and-file voters? I’ll defer to folks who know that district better than I do.
- Remember the Alamo II - Thursday, Jan 15, 26 @ 12:17 pm:
=== Those are some very solid numbers for Raja. Per the previous post, it looks like the Hail Mary for Stratton is about to start. ===
Hail Mary? Its January 15th and people are just starting to pay attention. Things can change quickly in a primary campaign. Let’s see where things are at by the time early voting starts.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Thursday, Jan 15, 26 @ 12:36 pm:
Just my hunch, but Krishnamoorthi seems likely to keep his lead. Regardless of the money available to her campaign, I don’t think Stratton can catch up.
As a resident of the 9th CD in West Ridge, I can tell you that Rep Huynh personally showed up at my door on Saturday. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that in the largest single population center of Orthodox Jews in the state, showing up on Saturday to discuss politics is probably not a good idea and goes to show his lack of understanding of demographics of the district.
The question that comes to mind when looking at the poll is not necessarily the percent of undecideds but knowing what the strength of each candidates support is. Is Raja at 41% and even with negatives those 41% stay with him or do 20% flake out. Because if Raja has a solid 41% then the games is close to being over but if he has a shallow or weak 41% then it will lean towards JB buying it for Stratton.
===a solid 41% then the games is close to being over but if he has a shallow or weak 41%===
That’s the most important question. Does he have 41 because nobody else is on the air? Or do 41 percent really support him?
Too many people look at poll results as static. Things can change in this business really fast.
If you only read the polls there was *no way* that Barack was gonna win that ‘04 US Senate race. No way. Blair Hull’s early money put him way ahead and Dan Hynes was always considered the best bet.
There are no Barack Obamas in this race, but it’s just an example that popped immediately into my head.
Anyway, we’re about to find out the answer to your question.
- Remember the Alamo II - Thursday, Jan 15, 26 @ 11:31 am:
I love the boxing ad with Preston and Clerk Gordon.
- Tom - Thursday, Jan 15, 26 @ 11:55 am:
Those are some very solid numbers for Raja. Per the previous post, it looks like the Hail Mary for Stratton is about to start.
- Excitable Boy - Thursday, Jan 15, 26 @ 12:14 pm:
- “We are not aware of, or interested in, any between outside groups and other campaigns,” -
Kind of an awkward response, Mr. Spokesman. It reminds me of my 4 year old making up an explanation of why she hit her sister.
- TNR - Thursday, Jan 15, 26 @ 12:15 pm:
I’m not sure what to make of all the AIPAC talk in the 9th CD. On one hand, AIPAC is one of the top bogeyman in progressive politics today — making it a potentially potent line of attack in a Dem primary in a progressive district. On the other, the 9th has a large Jewish population and the Jewish community is understandably sensitive to attacks on Jewish institutions these days. Then again, while I haven’t seen 9th CD polling on the issue, national polling shows the Israeli-Palestinian conflict consistently ranks very low when voters are asked about what issues concern them most. Could it be the back and forth on AIPAC is super relevant to a small (but loud) portion of folks there, but not particularly important to a big group of less engaged, rank-and-file voters? I’ll defer to folks who know that district better than I do.
- Remember the Alamo II - Thursday, Jan 15, 26 @ 12:17 pm:
=== Those are some very solid numbers for Raja. Per the previous post, it looks like the Hail Mary for Stratton is about to start. ===
Hail Mary? Its January 15th and people are just starting to pay attention. Things can change quickly in a primary campaign. Let’s see where things are at by the time early voting starts.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Thursday, Jan 15, 26 @ 12:36 pm:
Just my hunch, but Krishnamoorthi seems likely to keep his lead. Regardless of the money available to her campaign, I don’t think Stratton can catch up.
- Unionman - Thursday, Jan 15, 26 @ 12:42 pm:
As a resident of the 9th CD in West Ridge, I can tell you that Rep Huynh personally showed up at my door on Saturday. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that in the largest single population center of Orthodox Jews in the state, showing up on Saturday to discuss politics is probably not a good idea and goes to show his lack of understanding of demographics of the district.
- Jr. Neef - Thursday, Jan 15, 26 @ 12:43 pm:
The question that comes to mind when looking at the poll is not necessarily the percent of undecideds but knowing what the strength of each candidates support is. Is Raja at 41% and even with negatives those 41% stay with him or do 20% flake out. Because if Raja has a solid 41% then the games is close to being over but if he has a shallow or weak 41% then it will lean towards JB buying it for Stratton.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 15, 26 @ 12:54 pm:
===a solid 41% then the games is close to being over but if he has a shallow or weak 41%===
That’s the most important question. Does he have 41 because nobody else is on the air? Or do 41 percent really support him?
Too many people look at poll results as static. Things can change in this business really fast.
If you only read the polls there was *no way* that Barack was gonna win that ‘04 US Senate race. No way. Blair Hull’s early money put him way ahead and Dan Hynes was always considered the best bet.
There are no Barack Obamas in this race, but it’s just an example that popped immediately into my head.
Anyway, we’re about to find out the answer to your question.