* Raja Krishnamoorthi’s US Senate campaign has released a new Spanish-language digital ad. Press release…

Today, Raja for Illinois released a new digital ad, “Strongest,” which will run in both Spanish and English. In the new spot, Former U.S. Congressman Luis Gutiérrez (IL-04) speaks directly to Illinoisans about why he proudly endorsed Raja for U.S. Senate, citing his proven record of standing up to Donald Trump and taking on ICE to protect everyday Illinoisans.

The new ad will run across digital platforms as Raja for Illinois reaches every voter in Illinois.

The video…

Script…

[LUIS GUTIÉRREZ] Yo apoyo a Raja para el Senado en Illinois.

Yo he luchado con Raja en contra de Trump y ICE.

Él es la voz más fuerte…

Porque Raja no se Raja.

English transcript:

I support Raja for Senate in Illinois.

I have fought alongside Raja against Trump and ICE.

He is the strongest voice…

Because Raja doesn’t back down.

* More super PAC money is on its way. Fox News…

A political group backed by leading AI companies and innovators is starting to dip into its formidable war chest to back candidates in competitive primaries in this year’s midterm elections. […]

Leading the Future, which is backed financially in a personal capacity by OpenAI President and Co-founder Greg Brockman and his wife Anna, as well as Ben Horowitz, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, a venture capital firm that is a major investor in OpenAI. […]

The group plans to spend seven figures in the open-seat Democratic primary in Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District, in support of former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and in the state’s 8th Congressional District, where they’re backing former Rep. Melissa Bean.

Among the other AI-world initial contributors to Leading the Future are Joe Lonsdale, an entrepreneur and venture capitalist who co-founded companies including Palantir Technologies, Addepar, and OpenGov, and co-founded and works as the managing partner at the technology investment firm 8VC, and Ron Conway, a venture capitalist and philanthropist who is co-founder of SV Angel.

* The Daily Northwestern’s data editor Ryan Ottignon…

Huge ad buy by AIPAC-backed super PAC Elect Chicago Women in IL-08 and IL-09 today. I'm seeing contracts with ABC 7, NBC 5, CBS 2, FOX 32, The U, and cable (Xfinity + U-verse). Solidly seven figures.

Similar ad buys for affiliated super PAC Affordable Chicago Now. pic.twitter.com/NaLvYjRUFY

— Ryan (@RyanInEvanston) February 11, 2026

* Yesterday, 9th Congressional District candidate Laura Fine updated her redboxing page to include attacks on opponent Daniel Biss…

Separately and simultaneously, these voters must also see on broadcast, digital, and streaming and read in mail that Daniel Biss is not someone that Democrats can count on – he’ll always juggle his positions to put his own political ambition ahead of what’s best for you.

It’s not that Daniel is too conservative or too liberal; it’s that he’ll be whatever he needs to be to win his next election. And there’s always a next election. He’s run for state legislature, Governor, Comptroller, Mayor, and now Congress … for Daniel, it’s all about Daniel.

The page also includes video showing Biss juggling flaming clubs. He used that video when he ran for governor.

* Evanston Now’s Matthew Eadie told us last week that attack ads are coming soon in the 9th. 8th CD candidate Neil Khot is out with a new TV and digital ad…

* US Sen. Elizabeth Warren has endorsed 2nd CD candidate Robert Peters…

Elizabeth Warren is a hero of mine. As right-wing forces try to buy this seat, our movement needs to stay united and fight back. I’m grateful to Sen. Warren for standing with us in this battle. pic.twitter.com/MYT08hZQRm

— Robert Peters (@RobertJPeters) February 11, 2026

* More…

* Press release | Bushra Amiwala Announces Indian American Impact Fund Endorsement and Support from Prominent Community Leaders: “I’m honored to partner with these local leaders as we continue building a coalition focused on making life better for families across our district,” said Amiwala, the nation’s first Gen Z elected official. “Over the next five weeks, we will work together to deliver accountable, equitable representation that the 9th District deserves.”

* Chicago Mag | Prime Time for the Primaries: Election Day in Illinois is March 17. Yup, St. Patrick’s Day. So for the love of God, Chicago: Vote early. Here’s what to know about the congressional races.

* Daily Herald | Out-of-state donors propel Donna Miller to fundraising lead: Casten, who is seeking a fifth term in Congress, had $1.3 million in his campaign coffers as of Dec. 31, Federal Election Commission documents indicate. Democratic challenger Joey Ruzevich, a Chicagoan who’s coming at Casten from the left, lagged far behind with $73,824 in the bank. Across the political aisle, three-time Republican hopeful Niki Conforti of Glen Ellyn had $40,379 saved for her primary battle against Shorewood resident Skylar Duensing as of Dec. 31. Duensing’s campaign, on the other hand, finished the year $118 in the red, records show.

* CBS Chicago | 2026 U.S. Senate candidate profile: Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi: Krishnamoorthi voted in line with President Biden 100% of the time during his four years in office. CBS News Chicago Political reporter Chris Tye asked Krishnamoorthi which areas he does not toe the Democratic Party line. “Banning the trading of individual stocks by members of Congress, and that’s not something that really veterans on either side like,” he said. “I also believe in term limits. I believe in age limits. I believe also in term limits for the Supreme Court.”

* CBS | Trump administration withholding public health funding for Illinois and other Democratic-led states: U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL , who is currently running for Senate, decried the move in a statement writing in part, “Donald Trump’s administration is ripping $600 million in congressionally approved public health funding away from states he doesn’t like, and Illinois is squarely in the crosshairs.” Krishnamoorthi said in Chicago more than $5 million is being taken away from Lurie Children’s Hospital, which he said is primarily used for HIV prevention, community outreach and continuity of care.

* American Prospect | A Fourth Candidate in Illinois Gets the AIPAC Boost: Conyears-Ervin, who has a history of local corruption scandals, is benefiting from what sources describe as a $2.8 million ad buy from United Democracy Project (UDP), which is AIPAC’s designated super PAC. The ad expenditure will cost approximately $500,000 a week through the duration of the campaign. Other races in Illinois have seen AIPAC use so-called “shell PACs” with neutral-sounding names like Elect Chicago Women or Affordable Chicago Now. UDP is coming off an embarrassing loss in New Jersey in the race to replace Gov. Mikie Sherrill in Congress. UDP ran attack ads against former Rep. Tom Malinowski, who previously received AIPAC support. This threw the election to Analilia Mejia, who has called the war in Gaza a genocide; she maintains an 889-vote lead with just a handful of ballots left to count, and Malinowski, who sits in second place, has conceded.

* Evanston Roundtable | ETHS student aims to forecast 9th District Congressional race using betting market data: Sophomore Ryan McComb created IL9.org, an aggregator and forecast platform that compiles data from a variety of sources to predict the March 17 primary’s outcome, from its overall winner down to vote margins for each and every precinct. He told the RoundTable he’s always had an interest in politics, and decided to create the website after volunteering for candidate and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss. […] As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the projected odds of winning the primary stood at 53% for Biss, 32% for state Sen. Laura Fine and 16% for content creator Kat Abughazaleh.