Raja Expected To Shift His Senate Primary War Chest To New PAC

India-West News Desk

CHICAGO, IL – Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) is shifting his massive fundraising apparatus toward a new hybrid political action committee to back other Democrats as he prepares to exit Congress.

According to a report by the Chicago Sun Times the Democrat is hosting a launch event for the committee, named Equal Opportunity Now, at a reception in Chicago’s West Loop. A source familiar with the launch indicated that the PAC will immediately use its financial power to announce contributions to a wide slate of state and Chicago-area candidates, with a concrete plan to distribute $100,000 to down-ballot races this month alone.

The political pivot comes four months after Krishnamoorthi’s highly competitive loss in the March Democratic primary for US Senator Dick Durbin’s open seat. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won that primary with support from voters and an infusion of last minute cash from Governor Pritzker into her campaign.

Federal Election Commission filings reveal that Raja’s remaining personal Senate campaign fund holds $74,587.81, according to the Chicago Sun Times. Also, that the new committee is starting with immense leverage, holding $2,369,758.26 in cash on hand at the end of June.

While Krishnamoorthi is stepping away from his own congressional seat after nine years in Washington, the launch of Equal Opportunity Now keeps his national donor networks intact. Political analysts noted to the paper that distributing millions to local party organizations protects his political influence in Illinois, giving him structural flexibility and an established network should he choose to run for office again in the future.