5 Things to Know About Raja Krishnamoorthi, Democratic Senate Hopeful in Illinois

Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democratic U.S. representative from Illinois, has announced his candidacy for the Senate seat currently held by Dick Durbin, who is not seeking reelection. Krishnamoorthi has served in the House since 2017, representing the 8th Congressional District, which includes parts of Chicago's western suburbs.

Krishnamoorthi was born in New Delhi, India, and moved to the United States with his family at a young age. He grew up in Peoria, Illinois, and later attended Princeton University and Harvard Law School. Before entering politics, he worked as an attorney and served as a deputy treasurer for the state of Illinois.

In Congress, Krishnamoorthi has focused on issues such as national security, economic competitiveness, and government oversight. He is a member of the House Oversight and Reform Committee and the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. He has also been involved in efforts to combat human trafficking and support veterans.

Krishnamoorthi is the first Indian American to represent Illinois in Congress. His campaign for Senate emphasizes his background as an immigrant and his work on bipartisan legislation. He faces a primary field that includes other Democratic candidates, with the election scheduled for November 2026.

If elected, Krishnamoorthi would become one of a small number of Indian American senators. He has already secured endorsements from several fellow Illinois Democrats and has reported strong fundraising in the early stages of his campaign.