Chicago Senate Showdown Erupts After Robin Kelly Calls Gaza War Genocide

Feb

2026

In the News

Chicago Senate Showdown Erupts After Robin Kelly Calls Gaza War Genocide

Rep. Robin Kelly, the Chicagoland congresswoman vying in the March 17 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, jolted the race Thursday night when she told a debate audience that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza had “turned into” a genocide. She later went online to stress that she was the only candidate onstage to explicitly condemn genocide in Gaza, a move that instantly sharpened the divide among the three leading Democrats and yanked foreign policy to the center of a contest that had mostly revolved around local and domestic issues.

Debate Moment

On the WGN-broadcast debate stage, Kelly said of Israel’s military actions, “It may not have started off being like that, but I believe that is what it turned into,” and then followed up on X with, “Every candidate on stage tonight had the opportunity to condemn genocide in Gaza. I’m the only one who did.” The exchange and her post were quickly shared among local organizers and political insiders, according to JTA, turning a single answer into the night’s defining moment.

Rivals Keep Distance

Kelly’s two main rivals kept a careful distance from that specific language. On the same stage, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton stressed humanitarian relief and the urgency of ending the suffering, while Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi warned that charged rhetoric could put a fragile ceasefire at risk. The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Kelly was the only front-runner to use the word “genocide” during the debate, underscoring how isolated she was on that point even within her own party’s top tier.

Money, Positions, and Past Votes

Kelly has been moving toward tougher criticism of Israel since jumping into the Senate race. She cosponsored the House “Block the Bombs” bill and has said she would have supported Bernie Sanders-led efforts aimed at blocking certain arms sales to Israel. At the same time, she has pledged not to accept future AIPAC funding, even though Federal Election Commission records show her campaign accepted PAC checks in March and April 2025, as The Jerusalem Post reported. That mix of recent policy shifts and earlier fundraising ties has turned foreign policy into a lightning rod inside the campaign.

Primary Stakes

The primary is set for March 17, and early voting is already underway. The Chicago Board of Elections has reported more than 10,000 early ballots returned, a number that could amplify any post-debate movement in turnout and fundraising. The Chicago Sun-Times notes that the contest is widely viewed as a three-person race among Kelly, Stratton, and Krishnamoorthi, so even a small shift in support after Thursday night could prove decisive.

Local Stakes

Local Jewish community leaders and progressive organizers are watching closely as the fallout continues. Analysts say Kelly’s comments reflect a broader Democratic recalibration of U.S. policy toward Israel and Gaza and could shape whether pro-Israel donors and organizing groups pour serious resources into the Illinois race. As JTA observed, the episode highlights how international conflicts are increasingly reshaping domestic primaries and may help decide who holds a pivotal U.S. Senate seat next year.

By Damon R. Sheffield