Rep. Krishnamoorthi, strong advocate of US-India relations, launches campaign for US Senate

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Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, formally announced his candidacy to represent Illinois in the U.S. Senate May 7, in a bid to replace veteran lawmaker Rep. Dick Durbin who has decided not to run for another term. If elected, Krishnamoorthi would become the first Indian American member of the upper house.

“Right now, there are no South Asian Americans in the entire United States Senate – my election will change that,” Krishnamoorthi told News India Times.

“For well over a decade, I have been blessed to have the support of the Indian American community, and I am humbled by the outpouring of support I have received since announcing the launch of my Senate campaign,” he added.

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Krishnamoorthi contended President Donald Trump was undermining the US-India partnership “with devastating tariffs that damage the economic, diplomatic, and security interests of the United States,” and that “our community needs a fighter who will stand up, fight back, and prioritize the strength of this crucial relationship.”

Krishnamoorthi began looking into his chances of running for the Senate when Durbin announced April 23, that he will not run again in 2026. Elected in 2005, Durbin has been re-elected to the seat and remains a popular Senator, which means his endorsement would be critical for improving Krishnamoorthi’s chances. Krishnamoorthi already has a competitor in Rep. Robyn Kelly who announced her bid Monday May 6, describing herself as an underdog. She won her election to the House in 2002, in a race where 13 candidates were running, an indication she may be a tough competitor for Krishnamoorthi.

“Senator Dick Durbin is a titan who will go down as one of the most effective and dedicated public servants in Illinois history. I am deeply humbled by the encouragement I have received from friends, family members, and community leaders encouraging me, a fellow son of downstate, to run for the U.S. Senate,” Krishnamoorthi said in his statement.

In an announcement video released on his campaign website rajaforil.us17, along with the press release, Krishnamoorthi asserts he has a “lifelong commitment to standing up to bullies like Donald Trump.

A first-generation immigrant, a product of Peoria, Illinois public schools, and a husband and father of three, Krishnamoorthi says he is running for U.S. Senate “to ensure that every Illinois family – regardless of who they are, where they live, or how many letters are in their last name – has the chance to succeed.”

He vows to do whatever it takes to protect seniors’ Social Security, take care of veterans, defend public education, and invest in job training programs so that everyone has the opportunity to realize the American Dream, the press release says.

“I’ve made it my mission to fight for families like the ones I grew up with. People who just want a chance to work hard and realize their dreams,” Krishnamoorthi says in the video. “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.”

On Friday, May 9, Krishnamoorthi plans to travel across Illinois to host the first official events of the U.S. Senate campaign, making stops in his hometown of Peoria, as well as Chicago, and Schaumburg.

Krishnamoorthi came to this country with his parents when he was just 3 months old. When his father lost his job, the family relied on food stamps and public housing to get back on their feet, the Indian American lawmaker said. Krishnamoorthi “won scholarships, took out loans, and worked any job he could find to attend college and law school,” the press release notes.

After clerking for a federal judge in Chicago, Krishnamoorthi served as policy director for Barack Obama’s successful 2004 campaign for the U.S. Senate. Afterward, he went on to serve at various levels of state government before leading high-tech small businesses in Chicagoland. First elected to Congress in 2016, Krishnamoorthi has been re-elected and served in Congress in several important committees and championed issues like education and training and for strengthening US-India relations.

 In response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and rising regional tensions,  Krishnamoorthi issued a statement saying, “In the wake of last month’s horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the need to combat terrorism and prevent future violence has become even more urgent. As Secretary Rubio stated, it is essential to avoid broader conflict and further escalation. At the same time, Pakistan must release former Prime Minister Imran Khan and ensure free and fair elections that uphold democratic values and give voice to the will of the Pakistani people. The current situation should not be used as a pretext to further undermine democracy in Pakistan.”

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