Politics
Former Illinois GOP Chair Don Tracy Announces US Senate Run to Replace Dick Durbin
Former Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy speaks at Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair in 2023. Tracy stepped down from the job in 2024. (Jerry Nowicki / Capitol News Illinois)
Springfield attorney and former chair of the Illinois Republican Party Don Tracy announced Wednesday he is running for U.S. Senate — adding to a field of candidates making a bid for outgoing Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat.
In addition to formerly serving as chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, Tracy has also served as chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board and secretary of the Illinois Bar Foundation. Tracy is an attorney at the law firm Brown, Hay & Stephens in Springfield.
Tracy’s top priority in the U.S. Senate would be to lower the cost-of-living for working families, according to a campaign release.
“With the cost-of-living continuing to rise, life is simply unaffordable for working families — especially in Illinois, where we suffer under the highest tax burden in the nation and endure an economy that lags the rest of the Midwest because of tax-and-spend Democrats,” Tracy said.
Tracy was born and raised in Mount Sterling in Western Illinois. Tracy and his wife raised their four children and seven grandchildren in Springfield, according to a release.
“I will represent all of Illinois, not just Chicago,” Tracy said in a campaign announcement, in which he also criticized “career politicians with extreme progressive agendas” and described having to “fight for common sense.”
Tracy served as chair of the Illinois Republican Party from 2021 to 2024 before stepping down from the position last year due to party infighting, according to his resignation letter.
Tracy ran unsuccessfully to be the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor in 2010.
Among the major Democratic candidates running for U.S. Senate are Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, south suburban U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and northwest suburban U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) announced earlier this year he wouldn’t seek re-election in 2026 after 30 years in office.
Other notable Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood and former Illinois Republican National Committeeman Richard Porter, have declined to run for U.S. Senate.
The primary election is March 17, 2026.
Capitol News Illinois contributed to this report.
Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]
