Illinois Senator Primary Election — Candidate Comparison
This page presents a side-by-side comparison of candidate priorities and promises in the Illinois senator primary election.
Candidates:
- Robin Kelly (Democratic) — Candidate in the Illinois senator primary election
- Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic) — Candidate in the Illinois senator primary election
- Juliana Stratton (Democratic) — Candidate in the Illinois senator primary election
Candidate Priorities and Promises in the Primary Election
The table below compares the publicly stated priorities and promises of candidates competing in the primary election. Information is compiled from official campaign websites, public statements, and other verifiable sources to help voters understand where candidates stand on key issues.
About
Score: / 22 Robin Kelly:
trusted. proven. courageous. Robin Kelly doesn’t back down — not from gun lobbyists, not from MAGA extremists, and definitely not from a fight for what’s right. As a working mom, mental health counselor, and relentless advocate for safety and public health, Robin first ran for public office as an outsider, beating a powerful incumbent by connecting with people on the issues that matter most... We need proven leadership. Not just talk. And that’s exactly what Robin is known for. For Robin, it’s never been about splashy headlines — it’s about putting her head down and doing the work. She wrote legislation with then-state Senator Barack Obama to hold gun dealers accountable for illegal sales to straw purchasers. She led a sit-in on the House floor to protest inaction on gun violence,...
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has spent his life standing up to bullies. A product of public housing, food stamps, and Illinois public schools, Raja’s leading the charge to fight back against Donald Trump and Elon Musk as they create economic chaos for Illinois families. Raja’s record of standing up for the underdog speaks for itself. In Congress, Raja has taken on price-gouging Big Pharma and gun manufacturers. He’s held the tobacco and vaping industries accountable, fought to make baby food safer, and stood up to Big Tech. And Raja’s even taking on his colleagues in Washington who use their position for profit, working to root out corruption and ban stock trading by Members of Congress because he believes government should work for the people, not the powerful...
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
ROOTED IN CARE, READY TO FIGHT, BUILT FOR THIS MOMENT: Juliana Stratton is a fighter, working to give the people what they want. Whether that’s quality healthcare, a little more money in your pocket, or leaders who will represent you and not corporate special interests, Juliana is in this work for you. CAREGIVER TURNED CHANGEMAKER: Juliana’s journey into public service started at home. While caring for her mother, Velma, during her battle with Alzheimer's, Juliana saw firsthand how broken and cruel our healthcare system can be. When her state representative tried to strip healthcare away from families like hers, Juliana didn’t back down. She stepped up. She ran against the 13-year incumbent and won. Since then, Juliana has spent every day fighting for Illinoisans, first as a state...
Achievements
Score: / 22 Robin Kelly:
Healthcare: Serves as the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust...Gun Violence Prevention: Serves as Vice Chair of the House Gun...Economic Development: Was elected Ranking Member of the House...Education: In 2023, co-established the Congressional Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Caucus...Science and Technology: As Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Information...Civil Rights and Liberties: Lead Chicago delegation...Foreign Policy & Aid: Passed an amendment in the 2015 National...Agriculture: In 2017, introduced the Farm Flexibility Act...Environment: Pushed petroleum coke storage facilities...Community Investments: Passed legislation to establish a national park...Other Accomplishments: Current Co-Chair of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee...
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
Priority 1
Score: / 22 Robin Kelly:
Tax the Billionaires: Robin Kelly will be a leading voice on equitable tax policy in the U.S. Senate by imposing a minimum tax on individual taxpayers whose net worth for the taxable year exceeds $100 million.
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
Trump Accountability Plan: This plan is Raja’s prescription for making sure a Trump-like presidency – one that ignores the Constitution and puts profit and power above the people – never happens again. It’s ambitious. It’s aspirational. Most importantly, it’s essential. Donald Trump is destroying every piece of the fabric of this nation that made Raja’s story possible. One of legal immigration and naturalized citizenship. One of public housing, public school, and food stamps...
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
Making Life More Affordable: Right now, life is too expensive. Thanks to Donald Trump, prices on everything from food to health care continue to skyrocket and put a strain on our families. That’s not the fault of working Illinoisans. It’s a result of leaders who are more interested in looking out for their wealthy friends than middle-class families. Juliana knows Illinoisans work hard, and she believes they should be able to afford a comfortable, dignified life where they can put food on...
Priority 2
Score: / 22 Robin Kelly:
Raise Wages for Workers: Robin Kelly supports raising the minimum wage to at least $17 per hour by 2030, which will give roughly 22 million Americans a long-overdue raise.
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
Restore the American Dream Plan: The Trump economy is making everything more expensive. Prices on everything — housing and health care, prescription drugs and groceries, electricity and car payments — are going through the roof. Working families are fighting harder than ever just to get by. Raja’s plan to Restore the American Dream takes on all of those challenges and more. This policy plan is both ambitious and nonexhaustive – we must continually strive to make life more affordable...
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
Creating Opportunities for the Middle Class: Hard work should be a pathway to a middle class life, but for too long, the American Dream has been out of reach for so many. That’s why in Illinois, Juliana has worked alongside Governor Pritzker to expand opportunities for the middle class: creating new jobs, investing in 21st century industries, and lowering the cost of job training so workers can get higher-paying jobs...
Priority 3
Score: / 22 Robin Kelly:
Cap Child Care Costs: Child care costs are way too high, and that limits what most families can reasonably provide for their children. In Illinois, infant care costs more each year than in-state tuition for a four-year public college. As your next U.S. Senator, Robin Kelly will lead the fight to pass the Child Care for Working Families Act so the average family will pay less than $15 a day for child care.
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
Protecting Your Rights and Our Democracy: Donald Trump and his powerful friends are carrying out unprecedented attacks on our rights, our democracy, and everything that makes us Americans. As they roll back the clock on our freedoms, they’re also dismantling our systems, ignoring the Constitution, and disregarding the courts. The goal? To give Donald Trump and his allies unchecked power – not to make life any better for our families...
Priority 4
Score: / 22 Robin Kelly:
Provide Medicare for All: Robin Kelly has been a leading voice on expanding healthcare access as a member of the House of Representatives. As a member of the Medicare for All Caucus in the House of Representatives, Robin supports the Medicare for All Act, which would expand Medicare dental and vision benefits to every senior in the United States. She also proposes to expand the Affordable Care Act to include middle-class families currently not eligible for it and increase...
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
Priority 5
Score: / 22 Robin Kelly:
Strengthen Social Security: Social Security is a vital lifeline for so many, especially Illinois' senior citizens. Robin Kelly is committed to preserving and strengthening Social Security benefits not just for current retirees, but for future generations. Robin understands that we can do that by asking the wealthy to pay their fair share. Robin will fight for the Social Security 2100 Act, which would lift the cap on Social Security taxes and make the fund solvent until 2100.
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
Priority 6
Score: / 22 Robin Kelly:
Providing Housing People Can Afford: There is a cost-of-housing crisis impacting communities across America, from our biggest cities to the small towns at the core of rural life. Robin Kelly supports a ban on rent gouging, capping annual rent hikes, and implementing a major federal investment in affordable housing. She opposes large corporate landlords buying up affordable housing units that price out families from being able to buy single-family residential homes.
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
Priority 7
Score: / 22 Robin Kelly:
Lower Energy Costs: As a Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Robin Kelly shaped legislation affecting clean air, climate change, safe drinking water, renewable energy, and hazardous waste. She supported the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provided $1.7 billion over five years to improve water infrastructure across Illinois, $4 billion to improve access to public transportation, $27 million to prepare our infrastructure against natural disasters, and $149 million...
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
Promise 1
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
"As your Senator, I will always put Illinois families first—lowering costs, protecting our rights, and strengthening our national security." @RepRaja 2026-02-03
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
"We can and will go back to a country without this paramilitary." @LtGovStratton 2026-01-30
Promise 2
Score: / 22 Robin Kelly:
"I will continue to push back. I will take my fight to make life better and more affordable to the US Senate." @RobinLynneKelly 2026-02-02
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
"I’m fighting to cap insulin at $35, expand Medicare coverage, and make healthcare affordable for every Illinoisan—no exceptions." @RepRaja 2026-02-02
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
"Illinois will fight to protect lifesaving care—especially in the face of Trump's malicious attacks." @LtGovStratton 2026-01-14
Promise 3
Score: / 22 Robin Kelly:
"I support raising the minimum wage to $17 an hour. As the next U.S. Senator from Illinois, I will always put #PeopleOverProfits." @RobinLynneKelly 2026-02-02
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
"We need a Senator who will stand up to Big Pharma and actually deliver lower drug prices. That’s the fight I’m leading." @RepRaja 2026-02-01
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
"Together, we will transform the criminal legal system." @LtGovStratton 2025-12-31
Promise 4
Score: / 22 Robin Kelly:
"I’ve consistently shown up to support the LGBTQ+ community, and as your next U.S. Senator, I’ll keep fighting for equality for all." @RobinLynneKelly 2026-02-02
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
"I will never stop working to protect Social Security and Medicare—our seniors have earned these benefits, and I’ll defend them." @RepRaja 2026-01-31
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
"Illinois will always stand with our trans neighbors—and fight for a future where every person can live safely, openly, and with dignity." @LtGovStratton 2025-11-20
Promise 5
Score: / 22 Robin Kelly:
"As a member of the Medicare for All Caucus, I have fought to ensure all Americans have access to quality healthcare. I will carry this fight to the U.S. Senate." @RobinLynneKelly 2026-01-30
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
"As Illinois’ Senator, I promise to bring good-paying jobs home by investing in manufacturing, infrastructure, and clean energy." @RepRaja 2026-01-30
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
"Illinois will continue to protect our communities against their blatant cruelty." @LtGovStratton 2025-11-19
Promise 6
Score: / 22 Robin Kelly:
"I'm fighting to impeach Kristi Noem, and will never stop fighting for you." @RobinLynneKelly 2026-01-30
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
"I’ll keep pushing for paid family leave, affordable child care, and stronger worker protections—because Illinois families deserve support." @RepRaja 2026-01-29
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
"We’re working every day to make Illinois the best place for patients and the families who stand beside them." @LtGovStratton 2025-11-06
Promise 7
Score: / 22 Robin Kelly:
"I'm running on a platform of People Over Profits." @RobinLynneKelly 2026-01-30
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
"We can’t let China outpace us. I’ll fight every day to secure our supply chains, protect American innovation, and defend our economic future." @RepRaja 2026-01-28
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
"Governor Pritzker and I will continue to do everything in our power to fight against the terror the Trump administration and ICE are inflicting on our people." @LtGovStratton 2025-10-16
Promise 8
Score: / 22 Robin Kelly:
"Tonight’s forum gave me the chance to lay out my People Over Profits platform and why affordability must be the priority in the U.S. Senate for families who are stretched too thin and tired of an economy..." @RobinLynneKelly 2026-01-30
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
"I’m running for Senate to deliver real results: safer communities, better schools, and an economy that works for everyone." @RepRaja 2026-01-27
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
"We will not rest until Donald Trump’s assault on our city concludes." @LtGovStratton 2025-10-09
Promise 9
Score: / 22 Robin Kelly:
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
"Reproductive rights are under attack—I will always defend a woman’s right to choose and access to care." @RepRaja 2026-01-25
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
"In Illinois we will do everything in our power to look out for our people, uphold the Constitution, and defend the rule of law." @LtGovStratton 2025-10-06
Promise 10
Score: / 22 Robin Kelly:
Score: / 22 Raja Krishnamoorthi:
"I commit to fixing our broken immigration system with both security and humanity, because that’s what Illinois values demand." @RepRaja 2026-01-23
Score: / 22 Juliana Stratton:
" @GovPritzker and I will use every tool at our disposal to defend our city, protect our residents, and resist this reckless, authoritarian power grab." @LtGovStratton 2025-10-04
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