Democratic National Committee (DNC) Vice Chair David Hogg’s group Leaders We Deserve on Thursday made its first endorsement of the 2026 cycle, backing Illinois state Sen. Robert Peters (D) in the 2nd Congressional District in the House.
The safe blue seat is held by Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), who is running for retiring Sen. Dick Durbin’s (D-Ill.) seat in 2026.
“Senator Peters is a shining example of the type of bold, progressive leadership that our country, and our party, desperately needs at this moment,” Hogg said in a statement.
The endorsement comes two days after the DNC took the first step in possibly requiring a new election for two of its vice chairs, including Hogg, who has faced backlash for calling to primary safe seat Democrats.
Leaders We Deserve launched a $20 million effort last month to support more than a dozen primary challenges against Democratic members of Congress to bring in a new generation to serve.
DNC Chair Ken Martin said following Hogg’s effort that no DNC officer should work to influence a primary.
