{"id":2554068,"date":"2026-01-27T11:05:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T16:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dems-vying-to-fill-durbin-seat-noncommittal-on-senate-leadership\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T11:07:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T16:07:04","slug":"dems-vying-to-fill-durbin-seat-noncommittal-on-senate-leadership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dems-vying-to-fill-durbin-seat-noncommittal-on-senate-leadership\/","title":{"rendered":"Dems vying to fill Durbin seat noncommittal on Senate leadership"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdems-vying-to-fill-durbin-seat-noncommittal-on-senate-leadership%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2554068&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Illinois Democrats competing to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) are avoiding firm positions on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer\u2019s leadership. Durbin, 80, announced in April 2025 he won\u2019t seek reelection, opening his Senate seat and raising questions about Democratic caucus leadership.the crowded primary centers on Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, rep. Robin Kelly, and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi,who debated in Chicago,focusing mainly on immigration enforcement,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/u-s-corporations-consider-blocking-monetary-support-to-gop\/\" title=\"U.S. corporations consider blocking monetary support to GOP\">campaign funding<\/a>,and opposition to donald Trump\u2019s policies. Stratton explicitly said she would not back Schumer as leader, while Krishnamoorthi said he\u2019d \u201chear his pitch\u201d and Kelly replied it \u201cdepends on who\u2019s running.\u201d National progressive frustration with senate strategy has amplified calls for new leadership, but the illinois contenders have mostly <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >emphasized state-focused platforms<\/a>: Stratton highlights <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pennsylvania-republicans-court-bridgewater-ceo-and-army-veteran-for-senate-race\/\" title=\"Pennsylvania Republicans Court Bridgewater CEO and Army Veteran for ... Race\">executive experience<\/a> and progressive priorities with gov. J.B. Pritzker\u2019s early backing, Kelly stresses economic equity and social programs, and Krishnamoorthi touts fundraising strength and plans to lower costs for families. With the March 17 primary approaching, the race remains a cautious balancing act between local issues and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/matt-gaetzs-father-seeking-return-to-office-as-son-faces-potential-expulsion\/\" title=\"Matt Gaetz&#039;s father seeks office again as son faces expulsion.\">broader party dynamics<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Democratic candidates vying to fill Durbin&rsquo;s Senate shoes all noncommittal on Schumer leadership<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2485614\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Democratic candidates in Illinois&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\">2026 Senate primary<\/a> are steering clear of hard takes on Minority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Chuck-Schumer\/\">Chuck Schumer&rsquo;s<\/a> (D-NY)&nbsp;leadership in the upper chamber.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The candidates are looking to succeed Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Dick-Durbin\/\">Dick Durbin<\/a> (D-IL), 80, who announced in April 2025 that he will not seek reelection to a sixth term, ending more than four decades representing <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/illinois\/\">Illinois<\/a> and relinquishing his role as the Senate&rsquo;s No. 2 Democrat as whip.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4434936\/trump-whistleblower-alexander-vindman-launches-campaign-flip-florida-senate-seat\/\">Trump whistleblower Alex Vindman launches campaign to flip Florida senate seat<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4434829\/republicans-appeal-new-york-city-house-district\/\">Republicans appeal ruling that scrapped New York City&#8217;s sole GOP House district<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4434285\/randy-fine-probe-left-wing-groups-minnesota-ice-protests\/\">Rep. Randy Fine calls for inquiry into left-wing groups targeting ICE agents in Minnesota<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>His retirement has left open a powerful <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/senate\/\">Senate<\/a> seat and a leadership question within the Democratic caucus.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The crowded Democratic primary has converged around three front-runners: Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL), and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), each of whom faced off in a debate Monday night in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chicago\/\">Chicago<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In their debate, immigration enforcement, campaign funding, and opposition to President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump&rsquo;s<\/a> policies dominated, but <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/campaign\/5707613-5-takeaways-from-illinois-senate-democratic-debate-for-durbins-seat\/\">discussion of Senate leadership dynamics<\/a> in Washington was conspicuously tight-lipped.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Krishnamoorthi and Kelly mummed on the question of Schumer&rsquo;s leadership, but Stratton was a hard &ldquo;no.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve already said that I will not support Chuck Schumer as leader in the Senate, and I&rsquo;m the only person on this stage that has said so,&rdquo; Stratton said during the debate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Krishnamoorthi said <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/newsletters\/illinois-playbook\/2026\/01\/27\/stratton-goes-on-the-offense-00748805\">he would &ldquo;hear his pitch,&rdquo;<\/a> while Kelly said it &ldquo;depends on who&rsquo;s running.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The question of Schumer&rsquo;s leadership has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/politics\/centrist-democrats-say-they-had-no-choice-but-to-craft-a-deal-to-end-the-shutdown-progressives-are-fed-up\">arisen outside Illinois<\/a>, especially after contentious Senate episodes such as the recent government funding negotiations that left some Democrats frustrated with the party&rsquo;s direction.<\/p>\n<p>Progressive critics nationally have even called for new leadership in the Democratic Senate caucus, questioning Schumer&rsquo;s strategic choices.<\/p>\n<p>Stratton, the state&rsquo;s second-in-command to Trump antagonist Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jb-pritzker-2\/\">J.B. Pritzker<\/a> (D-IL), was the first major contender to enter the race last spring and has centered her campaign on her executive experience and progressive priorities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>She has framed herself as a fighter against the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\">Trump administration&rsquo;s<\/a> agenda and earned the early backing of Pritzker and Democratic heavyweights.<\/p>\n<p>Kelly, who represents Illinois&rsquo;s 2nd Congressional District, has focused on economic equity and social programs, including taxing billionaires, child care cost caps, and healthcare expansion.<\/p>\n<p>Krishnamoorthi, from the 8th district, brings significant fundraising strengths and has pitched comprehensive plans to rein in the Trump administration and lower costs for Illinois families.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As they are all chomping at the bit for Durbin&rsquo;s seat, Stratton has praised Durbin and spoken broadly about leadership transitions, and, alongside Kelly, has had little to say about age limits for members of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congress\/\">Congress<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4432992\/schumer-senate-gop-scrap-dhs-bill-avoid-shutdown\/\"><strong>SCHUMER CALLS ON SENATE GOP TO SCRAP DHS FUNDING BILL TO AVOID SHUTDOWN<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kelly and Krishnamoorthi have focused on policy contrasts with Republican opponents and intra-state issues rather than the internal Senate hierarchy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>With the March 17 primary on the horizon, the race for Durbin&rsquo;s seat is shaping up as a cautious balancing act between local priorities in the sinkhole state and national party undercurrents.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Durbin hopefuls noncommittal on Schumer<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2554069,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AP25035770031253-e1769527093519.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[3685,72020,46479,44584],"class_list":["post-2554068","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-democrats","tag-durbin-seat","tag-illinois-politics","tag-senate-leadership"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AP25035770031253-e1769527093519.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2554068","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2554068"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2554068\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2554072,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2554068\/revisions\/2554072"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2554069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2554068"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2554068"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2554068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}