Raja Krishnamoorthi Announces Run For US Senate
India-West Staff Reporter
SCHAUMBURG, IL — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi officially announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on May7 , setting the stage to succeed retiring Senator Dick Durbin. Framing his run as a battle to protect working families and stand up to what he called “Donald Trump’s extreme agenda,” Krishnamoorthi is launching his campaign with a three-stop tour across Illinois on May 9.
A first-generation immigrant and a proud son of Peoria public schools, Krishnamoorthi pledged to champion everyday Illinoisans, vowing to “stand up and fight back” against forces he says are threatening democracy, public education, and economic opportunity.
“Senator Dick Durbin is a titan who will go down as one of the most effective and dedicated public servants in Illinois history,” said Krishnamoorthi. “I am deeply humbled by the encouragement I’ve received from friends, family members, and community leaders urging me, a fellow son of downstate, to run for the U.S. Senate.”
In a campaign video, Krishnamoorthi emphasized his lifelong commitment to “standing up to bullies like Donald Trump” and called out billionaires such as Elon Musk and “a convicted felon,” referring to Trump, for prioritizing personal gain over the future of working Americans.
“I’ll never be quiet while billionaires and corrupt politicians deny the dreams of the next generation for their own egos and personal profit,” he said.
Krishnamoorthi’s campaign said he would prioritize defending Social Security, supporting veterans, strengthening public education, and investing in job training programs.
Krishnamoorthi will begin his official campaign rollout with stops in Peoria, Chicago, and Schaumburg — a symbolic journey that highlights his personal roots, professional achievements, and connection to communities across the state.
Born in India, Krishnamoorthi came to the United States as an infant. After his father lost his job, the family relied on food stamps and public housing before settling in Peoria, where a teaching job helped them reach the middle class. A product of Illinois public schools, Krishnamoorthi worked his way through ivy leagues and law school with scholarships, loans, and part-time jobs.
He later served as policy director for Barack Obama’s 2004 Senate campaign, held roles in Illinois state government, and led small businesses in Chicagoland before being elected to Congress in 2016.
In Washington, he has built a reputation for bipartisanship while investigating corporate abuses and defending consumer rights.
Krishnamoorthi lives in Schaumburg with his wife, Dr. Priya Krishnamoorthi, and their three children.
