Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) teased an announcement on a potential run for retiring Sen. Dick Durbin’s (D-Ill.) seat in an interview with CNN on Friday.
“I’ll have an announcement about that on a later date, but today, you know, basically we’re talking about Dick Durbin’s legacy and his service to Illinois, his exemplary work in Illinois,” Krishnamoorthi said, when asked what his plans were regarding the Senate seat.
He added that Durbin will “go down as one of our great senators” and said he was “grateful for his service.”
Pressed on the timing of his announcement and what it might be, Krishnamoorthi he’d have an announcement “shortly,” while adding that he was talking about Durbin’s service now and that “Donald Trump is absolutely hurting working families through his tariffs.”
Durbin announced Wednesday he will not seek a sixth term in the Senate, paving the way for a hotly contested primary for his seat. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (D) has already announced she’s running for Durbin’s seat and received Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s (D) endorsement on Friday.
Krishnamoorthi, in addition to Democratic Illinois Reps. Robin Kelly and Lauren Underwood, are also widely floated contenders who could enter the race. Krishnamoorthi notably has a $19.4 million campaign bank account.
Whoever wins the Democratic primary next year is seen as the heavy favorite to win the seat in November.