Illinois Democrats duke it out for Durbin’s seat

Illinois' $50 million primary experiment

<div>Data: AdImpact; Chart: Axios Visuals</div><p>Democrats will learn whether money talks in 2026 in the Illinois Senate primary Tuesday in a race that will almost certainly determine who replaces Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).</p><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi is hoping the better-funded candidate emerges victorious in Illinois, just like in Texas this month, when state Rep.<a href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/04/talarico-crockett-democratic-primary-senate-texas" target="_blank"> James Talarico</a> beat Rep. Jasmine Crockett, 52%–46%.</p><hr><ul><li>Krishnamoorthi has vastly outraised — and outspent — his two primary opponents: Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Rep. Robin Kelly.</li></ul><p><strong>The intrigue:</strong> Two outsized presences have added a layer of intrigue to the race. Fairshake, a crypto PAC, has spent $7.7 million on TV ads, according to AdImpact. The group, which played big in 2024, is sitting on <a href="https://www.axios....

Democrats flip New Hampshire House seat in special election

Democrats on Tuesday flipped a state in the New Hampshire House, adding to the party’s string of special election wins as the midterm cycle kicks into high gear.  Democrat Bobbi Boudman defeated Republican Dale Fincher for Carroll County House District 7, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ, filling a vacancy after Republican Glenn…

AIPAC Is Staying Out of Illinois Senate Race — But Its Donors Back Juliana Stratton

AIPAC is spending big in Tuesday’s Illinois House primaries. In the Senate race, its donors quietly lined up behind the lieutenant governor. The post AIPAC Is Staying Out of Illinois Senate Race — But Its Donors Back Juliana Stratton appeared first on The Intercept .

A historic Senate opening meets a divided Illinois Democratic Party - Politico

Democrats deliver stunning flip in New Hampshire special election

<p>Bobbi Boudman’s win over Republican Dale Fincher marks the 28th seat Democrats have flipped since the 2024 election</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&amp;utm_campaign=BN22326&amp;utm_content=signup&amp;utm_term=standfirst&amp;utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p>A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/democrats">Democrat</a> won a special election for a state house seat in New Hampshire on Tuesday, flipping a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/republicans">Republican</a> district that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/donaldtrump">Donald Trump</a> carried and marking the latest in a string of 28 Democratic upsets that could usher in a blue wave in the midterms.</p><p>Bobbi Boudman beat Republican Dale Fincher in New ...

Democrats set a turnout record in Texas, so is this the year it turns blue?

Latinos helped Texas Democrats set the new record for a primary, but the state has been a white whale for the party for decades.