UPDATED: Tracy Enters Senate Race
Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy at the Illinois State Fair in 2023. (Photo: Capitol News Illinois)
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Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy officially launched his campaign for U.S. Senate Wednesday.
Tracy, who was Illinois GOP Chairman from 2021-2024, is seen as the top GOP candidate for the race thus far, after Congressman Darin LaHood and former Republican National Committeeman Richard Porter chose not to enter the race to replace outgoing Senator Dick Durbin.
"Illinois working families need someone who will fight for them in Washington,” said Tracy in an announcement scheduled for release later today. “I’ve spent my career fighting for small businesses and working families, and I’m ready to take that fight to the U.S. Senate.”
Tracy was Chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board from 2015-2019 and sought the GOP nomination for Lt. Governor in 2010. He is a senior counsel for Springfield law firm Brown, Hay, & Stephens.
Tracy, 75, says he’s positioned to fight back aginast Democrats he believes have moved too far left.
“I see what career politicians with extreme progressive agendas are doing to our country, and I have to step up to defend common sense,” explained Tracy as his motivation for running. “Here in Illinois, we know the value of a hard day’s work and we’re not afraid to roll up our sleeves and fight for what we believe in. I will champion our Midwestern values in Washington and take on the special interests.”
Sources say southern Illinois attorney Bryan Drew, who is tied with parts of the Illinois Freedom Caucus, is also considering a Senate run. Drew did not return a message Tuesday.
Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Schaumburg), and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-Matteson) are the top candidates for the Democratic nomination.
UPDATE: We’re told Drew has told Tracy he won’t challenge him for the Senate seat, making Tracy the likely GOP nominee.
From Tracy’s announcement Wednesday:
Tracy’s top priority in Washington will be to lower the cost-of-living for working families. “With the sky-high cost-of-living, life is unaffordable for many working families—especially in Illinois, where we suffer under the highest tax burden in the nation and an economy that lags the rest of the Midwest because of tax-and-spend Democrats. The American Dream seems out of reach for many everyday Illinoisans. That is unacceptable.”
Tracy learned the value of hard work from an early age, having started working for his family’s business when he was 10 years old. Now an attorney for nearly 50 years, Tracy is Senior Counsel at Brown, Hay & Stephens, the oldest law firm in Illinois, where Abraham Lincoln famously practiced law for four years.
“I see what career politicians with extreme progressive agendas are doing to our country, and I have to step up to defend common sense,” explained Tracy as his motivation for running. “Here in Illinois, we know the value of a hard day’s work and we’re not afraid to roll up our sleeves and fight for what we believe in. I will champion our Midwestern values in Washington and take on the special interests.”
With Dick Durbin retiring, Illinois is losing its only statewide officeholder not from Chicago or Cook County. Born and raised in Mount Sterling in Western Illinois and having raised his own family in Springfield in Central Illinois, Don has deep ties to “downstate Illinois.” As the oldest of 12 children, family has always been important to Don. He and his wife, Wanda, have 4 children and 8 grandchildren.
Tracy concluded: “I will represent all of Illinois, not just Chicago. Too many of our politicians seem to forget Illinois has 102 counties, and the working families in every county deserve to have their voices heard. It’s the everyday Illinoisans who make up this state, and I will be proud to bring their voices to the halls of Congress.”
