Illinois U.S. Senate hopeful Robin Kelly says she's been a 'fighter and a winner'

Feb

2026

In the News

Illinois U.S. Senate hopeful Robin Kelly says she's been a 'fighter and a winner'

ST. LOUIS—Early voting for Illinois’ March 17 primary began Thursday, highlighted by open races for the U.S. Senate and Comptroller, and a crowded primary field in the GOP race for governor.

In the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton used the day to announce the backing of U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, one day after U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi announced the backing of Democratic groups in Collinsville and Madison County. Krishnamoorthi has a sizeable advantage when it comes to campaign contributions, and Stratton’s campaign and a PAC have started receiving financial support from Gov. JB Pritzker and his family.

But in an interview with Spectrum News on Thursday, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly insisted she’ll have the resources she’ll need to compete down the stretch of the primary.

Kelly’s first TV ads in the campaign dropped last week. Her congressional district extends from Chicago’s eastern suburbs and hugs the eastern part of the state south into rural Illinois, but she said her message is one that plays statewide.

“No matter where you live, urban, suburban and rural people want a roof over their head. They want decent paying job, good education for their kids. They want health care. They want to feel safe and they want some retirement. And my agenda speaks to all of that, no matter where you live,” she said.

Democrats and Republicans get along better than the public might expect, she said. Still, she does support eliminating the filibuster in the Senate, even while acknowledging Democrats have benefitted from the GOP’s inability to get past a 60-vote threshold to pass its agenda. It’s the same hurdle that kept Democrats from passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act when they controlled both Chambers.

Kelly’s profile has risen in recent weeks as she’s introduced articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over the use of federal agents in Chicago and Minneapolis and blocking members of Congress from accessing DHS detention facilities.

She’s billed herself as a fighter and a winner in her time in Congress since being elected in 2013, pointing to getting legislation signed by presidents in both parties. Now she says she’ll have what it takes to see the Senate campaign through.

“We will have the resources that we need, you know, to stay on the air. But I am a big one for campaign finance reform, because just because you have the most money doesn't mean you're the best candidate,” she said. “And just because you have the most money does not mean that you've done the most. I know I'm the most qualified person running.”

By Gregg Palermo