What we're covering:
• Key primaries: Polls have closed in Illinois after voters cast ballots in several primary contests that will test the direction of the Democratic Party.
• Senate: Democratic Whip Dick Durbin’s retirement launched an expensive race for the Senate seat featuring two US House members, Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
• House: There are also several notable House primaries that will highlight divisions in the party, including over artificial intelligence and support for Israel. Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., son of the famed civil rights leader, is trying to make a return to Congress.
• Governor: Gov. JB Pritzker, who ran unopposed, has formally become the Democratic nominee ahead of a potential 2028 presidential bid.
How a young candidate in Illinois' 9th district is trying to turn viral moments into votes
An ability to generate attention online has allowed Kat Abughazaleh to upend the traditional political playbook in her bid to win a House seat in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District.
The winner of the March 17 primary will be heavily favored to win the seat held by Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who is retiring at the end of her current term.
Abughazaleh’s strategy highlights a larger challenge facing Democrats, as they look for new ways to reach voters beyond traditional news, TV ads and mailers. A wave of younger candidates, many of them seeking to unseat Democratic incumbents, have argued the party must change its tactics and messaging to meet the current moment under President Donald Trump’s second term.
The digital-first approach also tests whether rallying support online can help make up for potential weak points campaigns may have.
A central challenge for Abughazaleh has been establishing herself in a district she’s lived in since last May. She has turned her campaign office into a mutual aid hub, where residents can receive items like menstrual products, and has participated in protests and local events. But the other leading contenders in the race — Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and state Sen. Laura Fine — have both served in the state legislature and lived in the district for decades.
Read more about Abughazaleh’s campaign and what it could signal to Democrats here.
Gov. JB Pritzker, seeking a third term in Illinois, formally becomes Democratic nominee
As the polls close in Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker, unopposed for renomination, takes one step closer to a third term.
Pritzker, whose name has been floated as a potential 2028 presidential contender and who recently waded into clashes with President Donald Trump over ICE presence in Chicago, will be heavily favored in November. He easily sailed to reelection for his last two terms by margins of at least 12 percentage points.
This is Pritzker’s first gubernatorial campaign without Lieutenant Gov. Juliana Stratton by his side; Stratton is just one of several Democratic candidates in a crowded primary vying to replace outgoing Sen. Dick Durbin.
Joining him on the ticket this year is Christian Mitchell, a former state representative who served in a senior role during the governor’s first term.
After a congressman dropped out, his chief of staff is on a glide path to replace him
Patty Garcia will become the Democratic nominee in the 4th Congressional District, running unopposed in the primary after her boss – US Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia – made a late decision not to seek reelection.
The congressman said his abrupt move just before the filing deadline came after he received troubling health news. Patty Garcia, who is his chief of staff but not related to the lawmaker, was the only Democrat to file for the seat.
Garcia’s actions, which appeared to orchestrate his departure to ensure he would be replaced by his hand-picked successor, drew criticism from members of both parties and led to a formal reprimand by his colleagues in the US House.
A similar scenario played out earlier this month in the US Senate when Montana Republican Steve Daines announced his retirement shortly before a candidate filing deadline in a move intended to block Democrats from fielding a top recruit for a potential open seat.
As the Democratic nominee in the 4th district, Garcia will be favored in November, but two other progressives – former field organizer Mayra Macias and Chicago Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez – are running as independents.
Polls are closing in Illinois
It is 8 p.m. ET and polls are closing in Illinois’ primary election.
The state doesn’t have party registration, so voters can vote in either primary.
Here’s a rundown:
- The retirement of Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin has led to an expensive primary to replace him, headlined by US Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
- Krishnamoorthi has led in fundraising and Stratton has the support of Gov. JB Pritzker. Kelly is backed by the Congressional Black Caucus.
- Several Democratic House primaries in the Chicago area are testing the power of pro-Israel groups.
- Meantime, Pritzker is a frequently discussed 2028 presidential contender, but first he’s got to win a third term. He’s unopposed for renomination.
What Democrats could learn from Illinois' Congressional primaries
With the midterm elections around the corner, the Illinois Senate and House primaries could give an indication of the direction that Democratic voters want their party to follow.
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Rep. Robin Kelly are running to replace retiring Democratic Whip Dick Durbin in the Senate.
It comes as Democrats struggle to find a message to coalesce around as they try to regain power in Congress in 2026. The contest is also setting up a test of Gov. JB Pritzker’s political clout in the state as he eyes a potential 2028 presidential bid.
For instance, against the backdrop of increased immigration enforcement in Chicago, Krishnamoorthi and Stratton have railed against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Stratton has cast doubt on how far Krishnamoorthi, an immigrant himself, would go in challenging President Donald Trump on the issue, partly because of his acceptance of campaign donations connected to Palantir, a federal contractor assisting immigration enforcement. Krishnamoorthi’s campaign said in December they had donated the equivalent of the contribution back to immigrant right groups.
Krishnamoorthi, who has represented a swath of the northwest Chicago suburbs since 2017, told CNN in an interview last year that he is the one who is “standing up to Donald Trump and standing up to bullies.”
Plus, several Democratic House primaries in the Chicago area are testing the power of pro-Israel groups. The 2nd, 7th, 8th and 9th Districts all feature groups affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) trying to boost their preferred candidates.
CNN’s Manu Raju contributed reporting.
Gov. JB Pritzker has played an active role in Illinois' Senate primary
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is running unopposed in his bid for a third term in office in today’s primary, but he has been very involved in the high-profile Senate race.
The governor backed Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, with the endorsement bringing not only a deep pocketbook and network of donors, but also political capital as he weighs a potential presidential bid.
He donated $5 million to a pro-Stratton PAC in December.
Pritzker has emerged as a key Democratic figure on the national stage and is a frequently discussed 2028 presidential contender.
He has lambasted “the culture of timidity” within the Democratic Party, rejected what he bemoaned as “the culture of incrementalism” and called for “do-nothing” figures to step aside.
Most recently, Pritzker forcefully pushed back against President Donald Trump and his move to send federal troops to carry out a federal immigration enforcement blitz in Chicago.
CNN’s Jake Tapper spoke with Pritzker about ICE agents’ use of deadly force on “State of the Union” in January.
Here’s what to watch in Illinois’ primary, according to CNN analyst
Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin stepping aside after five terms has paved the way for an expensive race for the seat.
According to CNN analyst Ashley Allison, a White House Senior Policy Adviser during the Obama administration, the slight diversity in ideology of the candidates is what to watch for in the race.
The primary features two US House members, Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
She told CNN’s Jake Tapper that while the candidates don’t differ much in terms of their stances, there are some differences between them such as their views on supporting Sen. Chuck Schumer as Majority Leader, should the Democrats take over control of the Senate.
The role of cryptocurrency in Illinois' expensive Senate primary
Outside groups also have poured millions into the Senate primary in Illinois, including from crypto groups.
Fairshake, a pro-crypto super PAC, is investing heavily across congressional races in Illinois, including the Democratic primary for Senate. The group ended January with $191 million cash on hand, according to FEC filings, signaling the influential role crypto-aligned groups could play across races this midterm cycle.
In the Illinois Senate race, the super PAC has spent more than $8 million on ads attacking candidate Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton who has support from crypto regulation advocates like Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. The governor signed a bill last year to regulate the state’s crypto industry.
Geoff Vetter, a spokesperson for Fairshake, told CNN the group declined to comment on the Illinois race but said it generally “supports pro-crypto candidates and opposes anti-crypto politicians.”
Stratton and her allies have pushed back on the crypto spending. “A Senate seat shouldn’t be for sale, but MAGA donors and crypto-lobbyists are trying to buy one,” intoned one ad from the Illinois Future PAC.
Another candidate in the race, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, has said the critiques coming from Stratton and her allies about outside spending are hypocritical.
Shane Goldmacher of the New York Times and Abby Livingston of Puck joined the “Inside Politics” panel last week to talk about crypto cash in the midterm elections.
Jesse Jackson Jr. seeks a political comeback after prison and personal struggles
Jesse Jackson Jr., the former congressman and the son of the late civil rights icon, is attempting a political comeback in Illinois’ Democratic primary today — more than a decade after completing a federal prison term for campaign finance violations.
Jackson, 61, served in Congress for 17 years before his resignation in 2012 amid the federal investigation. His guilty plea for using $750,000 in campaign funds for personal goods and services, including furs and celebrity memorabilia, made national headlines at the time.
Jackson faces a field of nine other candidates vying to represent Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District. He’s been outraised by several of his rivals but has benefited from more than $1.1 million in outside spending by Think Big, a political action committee that’s focused on electing pro-AI Democrats.
His brother, Rep. Jonathan Jackson, also is on today’s ballot, seeking reelection in Illinois’ 1st Congressional District.
Which Senate primary campaign has raised the most money?
US Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi dominated fundraising and spending for the Illinois Democratic Senate primary, after years spent stockpiling resources as a House member.
Ahead of his Senate campaign launch last year, Krishnamoorthi had reported nearly $20 million in cash on hand in his House account, a massive financial lead that he’s since built on and put to work.
Krishnamoorthi’s campaign accounted for more than half of the total spent on advertising for the Senate primary — about $29 million out of more than $57 million. He blanketed Illinois airwaves with ads touting his efforts to lower costs and oppose the Trump administration.
Krishnamoorthi’s top rivals, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, and US Rep. Robin Kelly, were unable to match his media blitz alone — each spending just over $1 million on ads. But Stratton received a lift from a group, Illinois Future PAC, funded partly by billionaire Gov. JB Pritzker, which spent nearly $15 million on advertising.
Krishnamoorthi also benefited from outside support. Fairshake, a super PAC backed by the cryptocurrency industry, spent more than $9.5 million on the contest attacking Stratton, whose supporters include advocates of crypto regulation such as Pritzker and Sen. Elizabeth Warren – though the group’s ads focused on local issues
Trump and affordability loom over Illinois Democratic Senate primary
Democratic voters in the traditionally blue state of Illinois are voting to replace longtime Senator Dick Durbin, and the issue of how to take on President Donald Trump looms large. CNN’s Steve Contorno reports.
Democratic voters in the traditionally blue state of Illinois are voting to replace longtime Senator Dick Durbin, and the issue of how to take on President Donald Trump looms large. CNN's Steve Contorno reports.
Who are super PACs affiliated with AIPAC backing in today's primaries?
A trio of super PACs linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee have spent millions of dollars on advertising in Democratic primaries in Illinois, aiming to boost candidates friendly to Israel across the crowded set of nominating contests.
Across the four contests, the three groups combined to spend about $20 million, and ranked as the largest advertiser in each primary, according to data from the ad tracking firm AdImpact.
With US support for Israel a flashpoint in Democratic politics, the groups’ advertising has avoided mention of the divisive conflicts in the Middle East. But in each of the four congressional primaries they’ve targeted, the super PACs have backed candidates who oppose limits on American military aid to Israel.
- The primary in the 9th district has seen the most activity – there, a group linked to AIPAC called Elect Chicago Women spent more than $4.6 million on ads supporting state Sen. Laura Fine, touting her resistance to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement crackdown.
- Elect Chicago Women also spent more than $3 million boosting former US Rep. Melissa Bean in the 8th district primary, with ads about her “courage” voting for Obamacare.
- In the 7th district, United Democracy Project, another AIPAC-linked super PAC, spent more than $4.8 million on ads backing Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, running ads about her support for public assistance programs.
- And in the 2nd district, a third AIPAC-linked super PAC, Affordable Chicago Now, has spent about $4.5 million on ads supporting Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, its ads touting her efforts to secure abortion rights.
The role AIPAC is playing in a key House primary
The American Israel Political Affairs Committee, other PACs it is funding and connected donors together are dumping millions into a race for at House seat in the north Chicago suburbs.
Daniel Biss, one of the candidates who is running on a wide array of progressive stances who has not been on the receiving end of that money, said he believes that is part of the reason it is “a very important race.”
He is the grandson of Holocaust survivors who moved to Israel and he grew up with dual citizenship and briefly studied there while an undergraduate.
Through at least three shell PACs, including the United Democracy Project, AIPAC is set to top $20 million just in the Chicago-area House races ahead of today’s primaries.
The favored AIPAC candidate in the race, Laura Fine, publicly distanced herself from the group.
Some context: As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war in Gaza repelled more Americans on the left, even many Democrats who consider themselves strong supporters of Israel have felt out of sync and uncomfortable.
But they and other Israel backers also worry that support for the country is becoming more partisan — and that, especially as prospective candidates start to speak out, anti-Israel rhetoric could become a defining issue in the next presidential primary race.
Filling Durbin’s big shoes in Illinois
Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin is doing what many of his contemporaries have been reluctant to do – retire.
His decision to step aside after serving five terms in the Senate — and seven terms in the House — set into motion a remarkably competitive Democratic primary race unfolding today in Illinois.
His departure at the end of this congressional session marks the end of a remarkable run and winning streak that started in 1982, when he defeated longtime Republican Rep. Paul Findley, who held the Springfield-area congressional seat for 22 years. Durbin won his first Senate race in 1996, succeeding Sen. Paul Simon.
Durbin, 81, is the longest-serving Democratic whip in the Senate’s modern history. As the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, he’s long been one of the party’s leading liberal voices on Capitol Hill, whose retirement will mark the end of a long era.
Tonight, that torch will move one step closer to being passed, as the winner of a Democratic primary in deep-blue Illinois is likely a glide path to a November victory.
Jesse Jackson did not posthumously endorse lieutenant governor in Senate race, son says
A son of Rev. Jesse Jackson said the late civil rights leader did not endorse in the Illinois’ Democratic primary for an open Senate seat after the state’s Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton put out a statement over the weekend saying he had.
In a statement, Yusef Jackson said his father had not finalized his endorsements before his death last month and a draft sample ballot with his picks was erroneously released. Stratton’s name was listed first on a three-fold pamphlet that was handed out Saturday at Women’s History Month event hosted by Rainbow PUSH, an organization founded by Jesse Jackson.
Stratton, who spoke at the event, announced the endorsement on Saturday in a press release that quoted Pastor Stephen J. Thurston, a close family friend of the Jacksons, who said the civil rights leader saw in Stratton an “unrelenting commitment to the people of Illinois.” In a statement shared with CNN yesterday, Stratton’s campaign said at the event “officials told her she received the endorsement.”
It comes at the end of a race that features two prominent Black officials, Stratton and US Rep. Robin Kelly, with ties to Chicago’s South Side. US Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi is also in the race.
Jesse Jackson, Jr. is attempting a political comeback in Illinois’ second congressional district after resigning in 2012 amid federal investigation into financial improprieties that ultimately resulted in him going to prison.
CNN’s Jeff Zeleny reported on the gathering of friends, family and political leaders for the funeral of Rev. Jackson earlier this month.
What we know about the primary race for Illinois' open Senate seat
The race for Senate in Illinois was thrown wide open last April when longtime Sen. Dick Durbin announced he would not seek reelection, attracting a slew of high-profile candidates who are now battling for the Democratic nomination and a potentially lengthy Senate career in deep blue Illinois.
The primary features two US House members, Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
It is the first competitive Democratic Senate primary in Illinois since Tammy Duckworth was elected in 2016, defeating her primary opponents by double digits.
It has shaped up to be an expensive race:
- Stratton has benefited from an endorsement by Gov. JB Pritzker and an influx of the governor’s money, with $5 million donated to a pro-Stratton PAC by him in December.
- Krishnamoorthi has outraised the field by a mile, bringing in more than $30 million, according to FEC filings.
- Kelly, endorsed by the Congressional Black Caucus, trails the pack in fundraising with just over $3 million and has struggled to gain significant momentum in this three-way race.
Much of the campaign has centered around the jabs between Krishnamoorthi and Stratton, especially amid increased immigration enforcement in Chicago. Both candidates have railed against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but where Stratton has called to abolish ICE completely, Krishnamoorthi has been less strident, calling to abolish “Trump’s ICE.”
Although there’s a Republican field that includes former party chairman Don Tracy, whoever wins the Democratic primary is likely to win the seat in November.
