'Just Call Me Raja': Congressman Announces Bid To Replace Durbin

SCHAUMBURG, IL — Following last month's announcement that U.S. Senator Dick Durbin would not be running for reelection in 2026, a growing number of Illinois politicians have tossed their hats into the ring to fill the seat. The latest is U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8th), of Schaumburg, who said Wednesday he's spent his career "standing up to bullies" like President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

"So I'll never be quiet while billionaires like Elon Musk and a convicted felon deny the dreams of the next generation for their own egos and personal profit," Krishnamoorthi said in a video announcement. "That's why I'm running for the United States Senate, to restore women's freedom to make their own health decisions, to keep guns away from people who shouldn't have them, to keep these extremists from gutting vital programs like Medicaid that help people, and to stop the chaos driving up costs."

Krishnamoorthi's announcement follows those of U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly on Tuesday and Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton in April.

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Krishnamoorthi, 51, currently serves as the ranking member of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

RELATED: Krishnamoorthi Notches 5th Term In IL 8th District — NYT

First elected to Congress in 2016, and reelected for his latest term last November, Krishnamoorthi was born in New Delhi, India, and raised in Peoria. He is the first ever Indian-American or person of South Asian descent to serve as Ranking Member or Chair of any full committee in the U.S. Congress. He also serves as an assistant whip.

"A president, ignoring the Constitution, out for revenge, acting like a dictator, claiming he's a king, surrounded by billionaire backers and mega extremists, threatening our rights, rigging the rules to line their pockets, wrecking the economy, they profit and working people pay," Krishnamoorthi said. "It's insanity."

Durbin, 80, the senate's second-highest ranking Democrat, announced April 23 he will not run for re-election after over 40 years in Washington. In his fifth term, he is the longest-serving senator ever elected to the body from Illinois.

In his announcement, Krishnamoorthi noted that he had worked on "friend" Barack Obama's senate campaign, who he said "showed that Illinois will give you a shot even if you have a funny name."

"I've spent my career standing up to bullies, whether they've gone after our kids, our families or our country," Krishnamoorthi said. "So if you're ready to turn anger into action and make America work for working people, join our campaign here. Yes, I know the name is long, so like always, just call me Raja."

Illinois' 8th Congressional District covers parts of Cook County, DuPage County and Kane County. All or parts of Addison, Barrington Hills, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Carpentersville, East Dundee, Elgin, Elk Grove Village, Glendale Heights, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Lombard, Palatine, Roselle, Schaumburg, South Elgin, Streamwood, Villa Park and Wood Dale are included.