Democratic Candidate · Illinois U.S. Senate 2026
U.S. Representative, Illinois 2nd Congressional District (since 2013) · Chair, Illinois Democratic Party
Robin Kelly has represented Illinois's 2nd Congressional District—covering Chicago's South Side and south suburbs, from Hyde Park through Matteson and Kankakee—since winning a 2013 special election to replace the resigned Jesse Jackson Jr. [House bio]
Kelly holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Northern Illinois University and a master's degree in counseling, reflecting her early career work in mental health. Before Congress, she served as chief of staff to Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, as Illinois State Representative (2003–2007), and as Illinois State Treasurer's Chief of Staff. She was first elected to the state legislature in 2002.
As Chair of the Illinois Democratic Party (a role she assumed in 2021), Kelly oversees the state party's operations, candidate recruitment, and election infrastructure—giving her significant institutional standing in Democratic circles across Illinois.
Kelly entered the Senate race in May 2025 following Durbin's retirement announcement, positioning herself as the candidate with the deepest roots in Chicago's South Side and the longest record on gun violence prevention. [Chicago Sun-Times, May 2025]
Kelly serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, one of the most powerful committees in Congress, with jurisdiction over healthcare, telecommunications, energy, and consumer protection. This assignment has given her influence over ACA implementation, pharmaceutical pricing legislation, and broadband access policy.
Kelly is arguably Congress's most prominent sustained champion of gun violence prevention. She founded and chairs the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. She has worked closely with Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action, and local Chicago-area advocacy organizations. Her 2013 special election victory was notably tied to her strong gun safety stance. [Gun violence issue page]
Secured federal funding for infrastructure projects in the south suburbs through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including transportation and broadband investments.
Universal background checks, red flag laws, assault weapons restrictions, and a ban on high-capacity magazines. Kelly treats gun violence as a public health crisis, an approach that has influenced federal policy conversations. She supported and voted for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (2022). [Issue page]
Strong supporter of the ACA and Medicaid expansion. Has worked on expanding access to mental health services and substance use disorder treatment. Supports allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices and lowering out-of-pocket costs for seniors.
Focused on investment in underserved communities, particularly on Chicago's South Side and in the south suburbs. Supports raising the federal minimum wage, paid family leave, and affordable childcare. Has emphasized economic development and job creation in communities historically left behind.
Strong supporter of abortion access and codifying Roe's protections in federal law. Consistent voting record on reproductive rights legislation.
Supported the Inflation Reduction Act's climate provisions. Advocates for environmental justice, particularly for communities in her district that have faced pollution from industrial facilities.
Supports police accountability legislation, ending mandatory minimums for nonviolent offenses, and expanding re-entry and rehabilitation programs. Voted for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
Kelly has carved a distinct position: rather than abolishing ICE outright (Stratton) or reforming "Trump's ICE" (Krishnamoorthi), she has called for dismantling ICE and the Department of Homeland Security and replacing it with a trustworthy agency as part of comprehensive immigration system reform. [Capitol News Illinois]
She has also used her legislative record as a differentiator: filing impeachment papers against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, whom she described as having "led this reign of terror." [WGLT/NPR Illinois, Feb. 26, 2026]
Kelly has been attacked by Stratton for accepting corporate PAC money. Her reply in the Jan. 27 debate was direct: "Check the record. Check how I vote" — arguing that her votes, not her donors, define her. She in turn accused Stratton of benefiting from "dark money" through Illinois Future PAC. [STLPR, Jan. 2026]
Kelly's consistent debate message has been her record: 13 years in Congress, the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force she founded, and work securing healthcare and infrastructure funding. Her Feb. 26 forum closing argument was blunt: "she gets s— done." [WGLT/NPR Illinois]
In the most recent forum, Kelly articulated a "people over profit" platform: taxing wealthy individuals and closing corporate loopholes to fund affordable housing, universal healthcare, and subsidized childcare. She proposed $17/hr as a more achievable minimum wage than Stratton's $25 proposal, citing small business concerns — aligning with Krishnamoorthi's position. [WGLT/NPR Illinois, Feb. 26, 2026]
When asked about any areas of agreement with the Trump administration, Kelly acknowledged respecting Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s focus on wellness — a moment that drew contrasts with Stratton, who said she disagreed with Trump "on all points." [STLPR]